'We got punched in the nose' - Savea's pride at All Blacks' comeback

All Blacks skipper Ardie Savea says his side were “punched in the nose” by the French before they fought back to victory at Waikato Stadium last night.

A converted try for halfback Nolann Le Garrec, plus a penalty for the No.9, had the All Blacks 10-0 down after 20 minutes before the almost inevitable Will Jordan try allowed the home side to claw their way back.

Jordan’s try, his 41st in 43 Tests, was one of four for the All Blacks, but a dropped goal for first-half Antoine Hastoy and two more Le Garrec penalties had the French 19-10 up with minutes remaining in the first half until Anton Lienert-Brown narrowed the deficit with a converted try.

The All Blacks kept the French scoreless after the break, with tries for Du’Plessis Kirifi and Brodie McAlister – the replacement hooker on debut – wrapping up the 29-19 victory for a clean sweep of the series.

But the All Blacks, much changed after their win in Wellington and without Rieko Ioane due to hamstring injury on the eve of the match and loose forward Luke Jacobson due to a quadriceps issue during the warm-up last night, did not have it easy.

Prop Tyrel Lomax, himself just back from injury, could be returning to the casualty ward as he requires a scan on a thumb.

In other injury news, first-five Beauden Barrett may be out for several weeks with a hand injury that may be a fracture – similar to a problem he has had previously.

Coach Scott Robertson said confirmation on Barrett would come via an announcement soon.

Savea, quizzed on a disjointed team performance, said: “We got punched in the nose in the first half and we came back in the second. Like Razor said, you’ve got to credit the French defence… they showed some character. But I’m proud of our team too.

“The French put us under a lot of pressure. We spilled the ball and gave them opportunities, gave them scraps… they just kept compounding their threes and got out to a good lead. That was a moment where we as leaders took a big breath and used the tools we have to get back into it.”

Robertson, who rolled the dice on making 10 changes to the team as he attempts to improve his depth, said: “It was a gallant French team. I want to praise them for an 11-month season – they’ve come down here to our beautiful winter and put in a performance like that… they should be very proud. I’d like to commend them.

“We were 10-nil down at one stage and found a way. We played some good footy. How many times were we held up – three or four? There was some really good stuff in it and we’ll be better for it.”

Robertson added: “Some of it wasn’t pretty, we understand that. But there was a hell of a lot of character and effort.”

Second-five Jordie Barrett, who replaced Quinn Tupaea, made a huge impact off the bench in the second half, his try-saving tackle crucial and break for Brodie McAlister’s try typical of the brave lines he was running all night.

Lock Fabian Holland put in another big 80-minute shift – he must be considered the find of the series for Robertson – and replacement halfback Noah Hotham had his moments.

No.10 Damian McKenzie and fullback Ruben Love also impressed at times without taking as much control of the Test as they perhaps would have liked.

Kirifi, thrust into the No.7 jersey after Jacobson’s misfortune, said: “The goal was to go three from three and not just win but to do it in a great way. We had a lot of changes this week.

“We wanted to continue the momentum and put in a quality performance. It was not perfect by any means but plenty to be proud of in the second half to fight out of a little bit of a hole and finish on top.”

Kirifi said he was told he was starting only minutes before the first whistle.

“It’s not exactly how you expect your first start to come along but every single one of us prepares to play and I was lucky I was surrounded by an amazing group of men to support me in that position,” he said.

Of his wearing the famous black No.7 jersey, he said: “Massive. It’s a dream come true to be here in this environment and it’s a dream come true to wear that No.7 jersey tonight.”