All Blacks coach Steve Hansen won’t dwell on a patchy third-Test win over France, preferring to assess the bigger picture of progress made over the last month.

The 24-9 scoreline in New Plymouth on Saturday flattered New Zealand, whose standards slipped a notch from the 30-0 win in Christchurch a week earlier.

Despite the All Blacks bringing momentum and a massive edge in experience into the game, they struggled to secure the 3-0 series clean sweep against opponents playing their last game of a marathon season.

France led 9-8 with half an hour to play but ill-discipline and a lift in resolve from the hosts allowed first five-eighth Dan Carter to kick three of his four penalties in a 14-point haul.

Taranaki reserve back Beauden Barrett then scored a popular try in the final minute to follow wing Ben Smith’s first-half effort.

Hansen admits it wasn’t a vintage display but was pleased with how his players responded with improved intensity late in the game, describing the aggressive tackling over the last 20 minutes as the best of the series.

“You saw the momentum change. Defensively we started making big hits, we carried the ball better and finished on top,” he said.

“We can sit here and be frustrated with the performance because it wasn’t our best but you’ve got to look at the whole package.

“It’s 3-0, we’ve introduced five new guys and a new game plan and we’ve come out with no one being seriously injured. For this time of year it’s pretty good.”

New Zealand conceded only one try all series, in the 10th minute of the first Test in Auckland, won 23-13.

Hansen handed five players their Test debut across the series, all off the reserve bench, to assess their ability at the top level.

Prop Ben Afeaki was used in Auckland and lock Jeremy Thrush in Christchurch, while three players were introduced late on Saturday – fullback Charles Piutau and flankers Steven Luatua and Matt Todd.

Hansen made no apologies for making five changes to his starting 15, which he admits was one reason for their regression from the second Test.

“We could have easily had continuity and looked to get another really convincing performance.

“But that wouldn’t have achieved what we needed to achieve. Some of the important questions that we wanted answered have been answered – some of them positively, some of them negatively.”