The All Blacks have beaten the French 26-13 in Wellington in a game that was a real struggle to watch for fans.
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Final score
All Blacks 26
France 13
The All Blacks will look to claim the three-match series against France when the two go head to head in Wellington this Saturday. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:35pm AEST.
The All Blacks are unchanged and Hansen will look to his match day squad to put in an even better performance.
After 51 minutes in Auckland last week, the scores were level and the All Blacks had struggled to turn their growing levels of control and pressure into points.
The infamous yellow card broke the French dam and the points flowed freely. Hansen will want to see his team achieve the same end result without the help of the man advantage.
Hooker Codie Taylor was especially impressive last week and will get another chance this week to challenge Owen Franks to the starting No.2 shirt.
Super subs Damian McKenzie and Ngani Laumape were awesome off the bench in the first test and will want to do the same again to make Hansen question whether they deserve a starting spot.
The French have had a tough start to their tour. They feel aggrieved about the yellow card/no yellow card situation in Auckland and the fact that Remy Grosso is out injured with a fractured face has not calmed the frustrations.
There have been accusations of cheating thrown at the Kiwis from the French camp and coach Jacques Brunel will be eager to have his men focus back on what matters.
Brunel mentioned during the week that 70 per cent of the All Blacks’ tries came from only two or three passes and sees it as critical that his men sort out their defensive communication to ensure they don’t leak points so quickly and easily.
He’s made five changes for this game including two new men in the back row – Kelian Galletier and Mathieu Babillot – where he’s hoping that defensive errors can be removed and a solid foundation created for the French team to attack.
It shouldn’t be forgotten that out wide the French have some true weapons – if they can give Teddy Thomas some good ball in space he can carve up even the best defences but he does need that chance to run.
With new full back Benjamin Fall bringing some more attacking flair to the French, the All Blacks will have to kick well otherwise their opponent’s back three will pose a real threat.
Prediction
The French are up against it here and could easily be on the end of a real hiding. They have to play exceptionally for 80 minutes and that just isn’t going to happen.
New Zealand to win by 20.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:35pm AEST on Saturday.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
The laws on challenges to high kicks needs to look at Aussie Rules they do it for a living . Barrett jumped off the French player and his fall was his fault .
abawesome
Guest
It's the WB's and Ireland that are playing with structure, what's wrong with the AB's? They need their captain back. Whitelock couldn't take them aside and fix it. They also need their biggest engine Retallick after the lack of go forward. God forbid after he turned the lions series against us last year, guess i have to forgive and forget but they even need SBW to help bust the midfield. Does anyone know what Sam Cane actually does? He's bulked up to the size of a 6, plays like that but without the mobility of even Squire and doesn't have the balls skill/ link player ability. Savea is more destructive but doesn't get himself in the right positions often enough but Matt Todd does and is the most constructive 7 in NZ bit like Ritchie in his rugby smarts
Julian
Guest
Well said. French played well. They had a cracker of a first galf last week as well. Their real weakness is between the ears. They give up. They walk a fine line between passion and over emotionalising.
dopplerman
Guest
if the players deserve the card surely its the players concerned ruining the game,at this level they should know the rules!
Sylvester
Guest
Difference being BB maintained the quality, rather than dragged it down.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Agree, terrible performance from ABs, French turned out well tonight. Dont think theyre up to winning one regardless of red and I think theyll cop a backlash after Hansen rings in the changes. Naholo deserves a run now. sBW back?
soapit
Roar Guru
yep, not full pace looking at that. still reckon the nudge contributed. he's off balance and trying to adjust his position and got himself in a mess.but he proabably should have pulled out altogether after the nidge stopped him being able to get there (and he seemed to have time to) but he took the gamble. can live with it either way but reckon there is some doubt and highlights its not worth spoiling games for this kind of thing
taylorman
Roar Guru
I could help, but Im afraid your immaturity probably couldnt handle it.
soapit
Roar Guru
reckon the pass was pretty line ball and maybe a smidge forward so wondering whether he would have backed his judgement if he thought it might really affect the outcome
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
now 23
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
How is it relevant who he super subbed for, apart from learning from Carter? Many tout Beauden Barret as the best now
Faith
Guest
How's the SH vs NH battle going for you Neutral?
Drongo
Guest
Where is my ‘negative’ comment? Your crew will flood the Wallabies game with negative comments like you do every time.
Kane
Guest
I agree with the replacement, maybe a 20min bin as well or at least a 10min bin.
Kane
Guest
We can argue all we want about the rules being incorrect, but based on the current rules the referee got it right. Your logic about not being hurt if he hadn't of jumped is the same as saying players shouldn't duck into tackles. If they don't duck into tackles they won't get as much contact on the head. Ban players running anything other than upright.
Rev
Guest
Agree, i hate how cards can determine matches. I think cards should still take the player out of the game, however the sub should be able to take his place in red card situations.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
That is what I was saying oz. It's just hard to tap all that out on this tiny keypad is all.
Kane
Guest
That's pretty bad. That's one of the worst pushes I've seen on the field.
Boomeranga
Guest
Not so common that you are jumping towards each other, but the attacking player moving with the flight if the ball has the more dangerous task IMO.