New Zealand 31 France 23France's World Cup hopes took a significant leap forward in Christchurch when a largely experimental side produced a surprisingly competitive effort against the All Blacks.
Despite leaving most of his first-choice pack in France and picking several players merely on the basis that he had promised them at least one game on tour, France's coach Bernard Laporte saw his combination push the New Zealanders to the limit.
"With this team and the ones who stayed in France, we have the means to shape a great France team," Laporte said.
Despite flashes of brilliance from the 20-year-old winger Joe Rokocoko, who scored three first-half tries, the New Zealand effort lacked substance.
They were continually put on the back foot by the French pack and their lineout, in particular, was a disaster, with France pilfering five balls on the opposition throw-in.
Behind 19-3 after 30 minutes, France struck back with a field goal to Frederic Michalak and a try to prop Sylvain Marconnet just before half-time.
New Zealand pulled clear in the second half, with Daniel Carter kicking three penalties, but a superb try by centre Yannick Jauzion, then a booming penalty by Damien Traille narrowed the gap to 28-23 with four minutes to go, before a fourth goal by Carter gave the All Blacks an eight-point cushion two minutes from full-time.
New Zealand captain Reuben Thorne had one of his better games at blindside flanker but spent the final 10 minutes in the sin bin after throwing a punch.
The All Blacks coach John Mitchell will wait until next Sunday to name his squad for the Tri-Nations, while Laporte will announce his 30-man World Cup squad on Wednesday.
The All Blacks coach was quick to praise the French after the Test, saying: "I am astounded by their athleticism. French rugby has just got so much talent, they have got plenty of choices for the World Cup."
Laporte said he was full of hope for the World Cup: "When you see how inexperienced this team is and how young are the backs particularly, you're full of hope."
French Rugby Union Federation president Bernard Lapasset, while accepting the team had lost three matches on Tour, was also keen to emphasise the team's depth.
"There's a negative side - we lost three matches and you must not forget it. This is what will be remembered from this tour," said Lapasset. But we knew we had to build a squad for the World Cup. We have found a competitive squad and we're no longer worried," he added.
"We have seen guys capable of handling big matches with energy and ambition. With this team and the ones who stayed in France, we have the means to shape a great France team."
France manager Jo Maso said that each player would be told individually why he was picked or not.
"There will be a lot of disappointment but we will make our choices in all fairness," he said. "Each player who will be dropped will receive a letter stating his strong and weak spots and the same applies to the players we choose," Maso added.
Scores: New Zealand (tries: Rokocoko 3. Pen: Carter 4. Cons: Carter 2. Yellow card: Thorne); France (tries: Marconnet, Jauzion. Pens: Traille, Michalak. Drop-goal: Michalak. Cons: Michalak, Merceron).
NEW ZEALAND: Muliaina; Howlett, Umaga, Carter, Rokocoko; Spencer, Devine (Kelleher, 62); Hewett (Meeuws, 65), Oliver (Mealamu, 55), Somerville, Williams (Thorn, 56), Jack, Thorne (capt), McCaw, Collins (Holah, 76).
FRANCE: Poitrenaud; Rougerie, Jauzion, Traille, Clerc (Elhorga, 78); Michalak (Merceron, 65), Galthie (capt); Marconnet, Bru, Mas (De Villiers, 12), Nallet (Auradou, 4), Thion; Harinordoquy (Chabal, h-t), Tabacco, Vermeulen (Labit, 54).
Referee: A Watson (SA).
