16 Jun 2013

All Blacks touch down three times on way to easy win over France

10:48 am on 16 June 2013

All Blacks' coach Steve Hansen says his team's defence was outstanding as it held France scoreless for the first time in 53 encounters.

New Zealand won the second test at Christchurch 30-0 on Saturday, wrapping up the series with a game to spare.

"Our kicking game was good. Our chase was good and our defence was simply outstanding," Hansen told reporters after the match.

"Defence wins games and the game was in the balance, I think until that period where we did defend for a long time and then got the opportunity to strike, and took it."

It was New Zealand's 500th Test and also marked captain Kieran Read's 50th game in black.

The French were unlucky not to score first, missing a penalty and a dropped goal.

The All Blacks took advantage with an early try by Julian Savea, which was converted by Aaron Cruden, who later kicked a penalty, to lead by 10 points at half-time.

The second half saw a long-range try by Ben Smith, converted by Cruden who also kicked two penalties.

And there was a try in the final minutes, another long-range effort, by replacement Beudan Barrett, which was again converted by Cruden.

The win means New Zealand take out the three-test series following their 23-13 victory last Saturday in Auckland. The third and final test is at New Plymouth next weekend.

French five-eighth Frederic Michalak aggravated a shoulder injury late in the game which will rule him out of the test in New Plymouth and No.8 Louis Picamoles is doubtful with a leg injury.