All Blacks survive fierce France challenge to win third Test 29-19
The All Blacks took the lead for the first time with only 20 minutes remaining in Hamilton as the under-strength tourists faded in their last game of a long season, eventually conceding four tries to one.
HAMILTON - New Zealand staved off a fierce challenge from France, pulling away late to win the third Test 29-19 on Saturday and complete a series clean sweep.
The All Blacks took the lead for the first time with only 20 minutes remaining in Hamilton as the under-strength tourists faded in their last game of a long season, eventually conceding four tries to one.
"Stoked with that," said All Blacks captain Ardie Savea, who conceded that his team had been in a battle.
"The French turned up tonight. Proud of the boys as well in sticking it out in that first half and then the second half we brought it home."
France's bigger forward pack and greater physical commitment helped them dominate the first half.
The visitors led 10-0 early and then 19-10 on the stroke of half-time as a New Zealand side featuring 10 starting changes were forced into mistakes.
"Around our breakdown and our ball carries they were getting success around that. As a leader, I was guilty of that too," admitted Savea.
The hosts played with greater energy and largely dominated the second half, creating tries for forwards Du'Plessis Kirifi and Brodie McAlister, who were both making their first Test starts.
"We sharpened that up in the second half and were able to build phases and build pressure. We converted it into points," added Savea.
The victory sealed the series 3-0 against a touring team who were under-strength after coach Fabian Galthie chose to leave most of his first-choice players at home.
"I'm really proud of the boys, the effort we put in today," said France lock Joshua Brennan.
"It's a shame we lost but we played against a great All Black team and I'm just proud of the performance."
France were highly competitive in the first Test which they lost 31-27 in Dunedin and in Hamilton, but they were well beaten 41-17 in the second Test in Wellington.
- Courage not enough -
"These last two weeks, the way we've evolved our rugby as well, I'm really proud," added Brennan.
New Zealand have swept all five three-match series between the sides, also winning 3-0 in 1961, 1968, 2013 and 2018.
"We hung on, we were courageous, but at this level, it's not enough unfortunately," France wing Theo Attissogbe told Canal Plus television.
"So we have to be realistic, we're leaving with three defeats, but we're going to continue to work hard and we'll see what we're lacking to reach the level of the best in the world."
France scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec crossed early for the first of his 16 points, darting down the blind side from a lineout drive.
His conversion and a penalty goal put the visitors 10 points clear before All Blacks wing Will Jordan struck against the run of play, chasing down a clever kick from scrum-half Cortez Ratima to score his 42nd try in 44 Tests.
France scored in threes for the remainder of the half, through two more Le Garrec penalties and a drop-goal by fly-half Antoine Hastoy.
New Zealand closed to 19-17 when centre Anton Lienert-Brown slid across nearly three minutes after the half-time hooter had sounded, finishing a long phase of pressure.
Le Garrec missed a penalty and Hastoy a drop-goal attempt during a tense, scoreless third quarter of the match.
The home side edged ahead 22-19 when France failed to control a Damian McKenzie cross-kick and flanker Kirifi crossed for his first Test try.
Kirifi had been promoted to the starting side just before kick-off when Luke Jacobson was ruled out with injury.
Hooker McAlister had a moment to savour on debut off the bench when he supported a break by Jordie Barrett and ran 15 metres to score the final try to seal the match in the dying minutes.