New Zealand squared their series with France with a narrow victory yesterday. All Blacks coach Graham Henry spoke all week about the lessons that needed to be learned from their 27-22 defeat at Carisbrook a week ago and it was apparent from the start there would be no repeat. Having been out-muscled and out-played in Dunedin, the New Zealanders came out with greater intensity, physicality and urgency at a cold, wet and windy Westpac Stadium.

A Ma'a Nonu try midway through the first half opened the scoring before Stephen Donald finally found his kicking boots to slot a penalty for an 8-0 lead at the break. The French reply was swift after the restart with wing Cedric Heymans' solo effort and Julien Dupuy's conversion getting the visitors back in the game. But another Donald penalty and one from substitute Luke McAlister edged the All Blacks further ahead before a late three-pointer from Dimitri Yachvili kept things interesting.

New Zealand's performance was a far cry from last weekend's lacklustre effort. The forwards drove hard into the rucks, gaining some good turnover ball, the defence was far more solid and did not allow the French to gain much in the way of forward momentum. Although there were still some issues at scrum time with both front rows coming up, Jimmy Cowan showed plenty of guile to steal a couple off the back of the French scrum.

Keven Mealamu and Neemia Tialata were far more prominent with the ball in hand and greater cohesion from the loose forwards meant France never enjoyed anywhere near the successes they did at the breakdown at Carisbrook. Donald, though, had a very mixed night, missing three straightforward shots at goal. Cowan and Piri Weepu both used the box kick well and right at the death only an unkind bounce from a chip by Weepu denied Joe Rokocoko a try.

The New Zealanders contested the line-outs well and the French were never able to get their driving maul going.

New Zealand M Muliaina, C Jane, C Smith, M Nonu, J Rokocoko, S Donald, J Cowan, T Woodcock, K Mealamu, N Tialata, B Thorn, I Ross, J Kaino, T Latimer, K Read Subs P Weepu for Cowan, 56 mins; I Afoa for Tialata, 57 mins; L McAlister for Donald, 62 mins; B Evans and I Toeava for Ross and Smith, 65 mins

France M Medard, V Clerc, M Mermoz, D Traille, C Heymans, F Trinh-Duc, J Dupuy, F Barcella, W Servat, N Mas, S Chabal, R Millo-Chluski, T Dusautoir, F Ouedraogo, L Picamoles Subs T Domingo, D Szarzewski and D Chouly for Picamoles, Barcella and Servat, 40 mins; R Martin for Chabal, 56 mins; D Yachvili for Dupuy, 58 mins; Barcella for Mas, 64 mins; F Fritz for Clerc, 67 mins

Referee M Jonker (South Africa)