France’s solid defence and greater spark on attack have carried them to a convincing 38-15 victory over Super Rugby side the Blues in Auckland.
The tourists’ dominance at the breakdown also proved a factor as they ran in four tries to two at North Harbour Stadium on Tuesday night.
In fullback Maxime Medard, backing up from playing on the wing in the first Test loss to the All Blacks, they had a lively attacker who was a constant threat.
The Tricolores were also able to disrupt the Blues’ line-out and it was from line-out turnovers that they grabbed their first two tries early in the second half.
The first went to 19-year-old centre Gael Fickou, while winger Noa Nakaitaci got the second on debut.
Nakaitaci completed a personal brace minutes later, finishing off a sweeping move for a 31-3 lead.
The Blues showed good character to strike back with two tries of their own, the first from stand-in skipper James Parsons after they rumbled over from a tap penalty.
Then, from a rare midfield line-break, winger George Moala touched down.
But France re-established their dominance by muscling their way over the line for replacement hooker Benjamin Kayser to dot down.
Both sides fielded largely second-string line-ups, the Blues without six players on All Blacks duty and also choosing to rest regular skipper Ali Williams and flanker Luke Braid.
France had four newcomers in their starting 15, while loose forward Damien Chouly, who landed in Auckland only hours earlier as an injury replacement, came off the bench.
The Blues had plenty of possession and territory in the opening quarter, but found it difficult to piece the solid wall in front of them.
They were first on the board with a penalty from flyhalf Baden Kerr in the second minute.
They were even confident enough five minutes later to turn down another shot at goal to opt to kick for the corner, but came away without profit.
The Tricolores were then able to force the Blues into errors and four penalties from halfback Jean-Marc Doussain took them to a 12-3 half-time lead.
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