New Zealand wrapped up a 3-0 series victory over France at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday, running out 49-14 winners in a seven-try showing.
Ben Smith, Matt Todd, Damian McKenzie (2) and a hat-trick from Rieko Ioane saw them to the victory, with McKenzie faultless off the tee.
In reply France’s try scorers were Baptiste Serin and Wesley Fofana, both of which came in the first-half, before a second period collapse.
Keeping with the series, there was controversy in the first-half when referee John Lacey seemed to block Serin before McKenzie’s first crossing. Despite this France would have been happy with their performance in the opening period as they went in just 21-14 behind in Dunedin.
The visitors started brightly with a great spell of possession in the 22 but New Zealand were equal in defence, keeping them out early on.
However on 12 minutes les Bleus crossed through Serin, on for Morgan Parra, as he dummied smartly at the base of a ruck to make it a 7-0.
New Zealand would hit back three minutes later though when a penalty kicked to the corner led to quick ball that saw Sonny Bill Williams feed full-back Smith for a relatively simple run-in. With McKenzie’s successful conversion the third Test was locked up at seven apiece.
With France losing Parra to a failed HIA and New Zealand flanker Ardie Savea coming off injured, Todd was the next to join the fray and didn’t take long to cross. A line-out take from temporary replacement Jackson Hemopo led to a drive with Todd at the bottom for 14-7.
France however were not flustered and the returning Fofana would slip over on 28 minutes after another good spell to level things again.
Then came that controversial moment involving Lacey though as McKenzie raced over on 33 minutes, with Serin unable to get to the fly-half.
The first score of the second period was always going to be crucial and it went the way of New Zealand on 47 minutes, with McKenzie’s pace seeing him pierce a hole on the French 22 en route to the line. That opened up a 14 point cushion for the All Blacks that looked ominous.
So it proved as McKenzie and Williams combined beautifully to send Ioane racing to the whitewash on 53 minutes, which made it a 35-14 gap before the wing added his second seven minutes later on the right sideline, with the French in danger of being on the end of a hammering.
The onslaught looked set to continue from the All Blacks as sustained pressure in France’s 22 resulted in debutant Frizell crossing under the posts. However, a dream bow was denied as the TMO adjudged him to have been held up. One sensed a sixth try was not too far in coming.
Ioane was the man to the provide that score, completing his hat-trick, only seconds later and that was to be the final points of the game as New Zealand ran out comfortable winners.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: B Smith, Todd, McKenzie 2, Ioane 3
Cons: McKenzie 7
For France:
Tries: Serin, Fofana
Cons: Belleau 2
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Samuel Whitelock (c), 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Jackson Hemopo, 20 Matt Todd, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Jordie Barrett
France: 15 Benjamin Fall, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Remi Lamerat, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Gael Fickou, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Morgan Parra (c), 8 Kevin Gourdon, 7 Kelian Galletier, 6 Mathieu Babillot, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Bernard Le Roux, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Dany Priso
Replacements: 16 Adrien Pelissie, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Cedate Gomes Sa, 19 Felix Lambey, 20 Alexandre Lapandry, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Maxime Medard
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Graham Cooper (Australia)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
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