All Blacks show resolve among the rust to sweep French series 3-0

A night in Hamilton which started uncomfortably for the All Blacks, with loose forward Luke Jacobson ruled out before kick-off, finished in a not entirely stress-free victory for the home side as they swept France 3-0 in the series.

It could be tempting to say that Jacobson’s injury in the warm-up was a sign of things to come, but the signs were probably there from the time the team was announced.

Putting it politely, this was an All Blacks’ C team against a French team of similar standard and while both played with desire and passion – and the French defended extremely well at times – there was plenty of loose stuff as both sides struggled for cohesion.

Jacobson’s failure to complete the warm-up brought Du’Plessi Kirifi into the No.7 jersey and Christian Lio-Willie on to the bench, with Kirifi scoring one of the All Blacks’ four tries in the 29-19 victory at Waikato Stadium.

The result suggests that Scott Robertson’s decision to change completely his 23 after the second Test win in Wellington was a success, but this was an untested and in some cases inexperienced line-up which battled for control and penetration on attack and in the end wore down the opposition at the end of a long season for them.

The All Blacks huffed and puffed but could not put away the French until very late in the piece after turning at halftime with a 17-19 deficit.

Four times they were held up over the line, with Samipeni Finau, Ethan de Groot, Dalton Papali’i and Ardie Savea all crossing but failing to score.

France halfback Nolann Le Garrec continued the early downbeat vibe for the home side with a dart down the blindside to score the game’s first try, the visitors going out to a 10-nil lead thanks to another intervention from the No.9 as the All Blacks fluffed lineouts, failed to clean out rucks, pushed passes, the list goes on.

Bottom line - they were failing in the fundamentals, but if there is one player they can count on to get them across the line it is Will Jordan, the man brought into the starting XV – and right wing – only due to an injury on the eve of the match for Rieko Ioane.

Credit must go firstly for Cortez Ratima’s vision – the little halfback spotting that the French were awol at the back and putting in a perfectly weighted kick for the relentless Jordan to score yet another Test try. That’s No.42 in 44 Tests.

Neither side had a lot of success with their kicking strategy, but the All Blacks enjoyed the bulk of the territory and, indeed, were held up twice over the line in the first half through Finau and then de Groot.

The French appeared on the brink of cracking, though, and the All Blacks duly broke through after the halftime hooter via centre Anton Lienert-Brown, who showed great strength to get across the line after being tackled short of it.

It was a hugely important moment in the match, with Kirifi’s maiden Test try after the break helping the All Blacks into a lead they never relinquished – the loose forward on hand for the loose ball after Damian McKenzie’s kick through and Lienert-Brown’s pressure.

Still the mistakes came, debutant Brodie McAlister struggling with his lineout throwing and Savea getting the All Blacks out of jail with a penalty turnover on his own line.

With 13 minutes to go, McKenzie’s decision to kick for the corner rather than attempt to add an almost guaranteed three points raised eyebrows, but it almost paid off, Papali’i going close but ruled out by the television match official.

The game wasn’t made safe until extremely late – Jordie Barrett on as a replacement and running tough lines throughout, making the break to put McAlister in by the posts for a popular try.

It took resolve and a whole lot of effort, but the All Blacks will almost certainly be better off for this victory which would have taught Robertson and company an awful lot.

All Blacks 29 (Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Brodie McAlister tries; Damian McKenzie 3 cons, pen)

France 19 (Nolann Le Garrec try, con, 3 pens; Antoine Hastoy dropped goal)

Halftime: France 19-17