The All Blacks have drawn first blood in their three-Test series against France, but were made to fight for their 23-13 victory in Auckland on Saturday night.
The home side outscored the tourists two tries to one, but it took an Aaron Cruden penalty seven minutes from time to seal the win.
The result extended the All Blacks’ 19-year unbeaten record at Eden Park to 31 matches.
There was plenty of attacking intent from both sides, but mistakes and lack of fluency also made for a stop-start affair at times.
However, France showed enough to suggest that the rest of the series, which moves to Christchurch next Saturday, will be keenly contested.
They had a great chance to tie up the scores midway through the second half and put real pressure on the All Blacks.
But No.8 Louis Picamoles, who was one of the Tricolores’ best performers, couldn’t hold on to a low pass from centre Florian Fritz just out from the posts.
In their first match back at the ground where they lost the 2011 World Cup final, France struck first in the 10th minute thanks to a big break by Fritz.
His midfield partner, Wesley Fofana, who had already shown glimpses of his attacking threat, was on hand to take the inside pass and touch down for a converted try.
Cruden has a couple of opportunities to get the home side on the board with penalty attempts, but it took his third shot at goal before he found the target.
In a contest with plenty of intensity and expansive play, the All Blacks swung the match their way with two tries in five minutes late in the opening half.
Winger Ben Smith continued his outstanding form this season with a scything run that supporting halfback Aaron Smith finished off by dotting down.
After French halfback Maxime Machenaud landed a penalty to level the scores, Aaron Smith’s backing up against paid dividends.
This time, second five Ma’a Nonu, who had been struggling for form this season, pierced the defensive line and Aaron Smith carried on to send flanker Sam Cane over.
Cruden’s conversion made it 17-10 at halftime.
The two sides traded penalties, before Picamoles missed his chance to score.