The All Blacks kept France scoreless for the first time as they wrapped up the three-Test rugby series with a comprehensive 30-0 win in the second Test at Christchurch on Saturday.
A clinical forward effort and astute tactical kicking in slippery conditions ensured New Zealand retained the Dave Gallaher Trophy, contested by the two nations, regardless of the result of the third Test in New Plymouth next week.
The All Blacks scored three tries while first five-eighth Aaron Cruden kicked 15 points in a significantly improved all-round performance from last week’s 23-13 victory in the first Test at Auckland.
An outclassed France failed to register a point for the first time in 53 Tests against the All Blacks. Their last scoreless Test was in 1990, when they lost 21-0 to Scotland in Edinburgh.
The world champions spoke this week of a need to improve their general kicking game. The clinical boots of Cruden, fullback Israel Dagg and halfback Aaron Smith delivered exactly that, on the back of a strong forward display.
A French side who made four changes from the first Test spent much of the game inside their own half. They were guilty of handling errors in conditions spoiled by sporadic rain and struggled to match the set-piece prowess of the hosts.
Up 10-0 at halftime, New Zealand effectively sealed the result with a memorable try early in the second spell.
France spent six minutes hammering away on the tryline but, with seemingly no way through a resolute home defence, they resorted to a dropped goal attempt by first five-eighth Frederic Michalak. It was charged down by flanker Sam Cane, sparking a sweeping 70m attack which ended when Julian Savea put fellow winger Ben Smith clear.
The French offered little from that point, as Cruden completed the scoring with two penalties and a conversion of a brilliant 95m team try with two minutes to play, scored by replacement back Beauden Barrett.
Savea returned to his blockbusting best form, opening the scoring with a fourth-minute try – his 13th in Tests.
He ran onto a deft, left-footed chip from second five-eighth Ma’a Nonu, following lineout possession stolen by lock Sam Whitelock, the only new starting face this week.
