The All Blacks praised the spirit of a vastly improved France who were only quelled late in the third Test won 24-9 by the hosts in New Plymouth.
The tourists ran out of steam in a scrappy Test to cede the series 3-0 but were pleased to produce a markedly better display than last week’s 30-0 loss in Christchurch.
The All Blacks’ standards dropped a notch, scoring tries late in each half and relying on the boot of five-eighth Dan Carter for the rest of their points.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said both teams had a role to play in the high New Zealand error count.
“We don’t want any mistakes but the opposition have got something to say about it too.
“France definitely turned up to play tonight and probably played their best match.”
Hansen was pleased with how his side kept their composure.
Leading 8-6 at halftime, they fell 9-8 behind with half an hour to play before rattling in 16 unanswered points.
“We didn’t get the big flash scoreboard to say we won the game easy,” Hansen said.
“What we got was a real genuine contest. It was a battle of wills and we saw ourselves get through that.”
Carter was successful with five from eight shots, giving him 14 points to extend his world record Test tally to 1399.
An inexperienced French side featuring eight starting changes had the better of the early stages in a stop-start affair, not helped by a slippery surface.
However, they couldn’t maintain the intensity against New Zealand, who won a 26th successive home Test and extended their winning run over France to seven.
The All Blacks were shaded at both scrum and lineout time but won the battle of the breakdown and had the more-potent running backs, most notably wings Ben Smith and Rene Ranger, and inside centre Ma’a Nonu.
Raking punts from fullback Israel Dagg also allowed the hosts to increasingly dominate territory as the match wore on against a French side who kicked away most of their possession.
French coach Philippe Saint-Andre was critical of Welsh referee Nigel Owens, who whistled against his side heavily in the second half. He also handed lock Yoann Maestri a yellow card in the 72nd minute for what was deemed a headbutt.
“I don’t see where and why we were penalised and this is quite frustrating,” Saint-Andre said.
His side opened the scoring with a dropped goal in the eighth minute to centre Florian Fritz before a Carter penalty levelled the scores.
Smith scored the first try soon before halftime to break up a Test dominated by scoring with the boot.
French halfback Jean-Marc Doussain landed two penalties but he was trumped by Carter’s four.
Home-town reserve back Beauden Barrett ended the Test on a high by finishing a sweeping 60m attack, winning the race to a Smith kick to prompt the loudest crowd roar of the night.
