All Blacks end series with 24-19 win in France

EVEN the most cynical of observers would have bet on a chink appearing in the armour after New Zealand lost players such as talismanic captain Richie McCaw and goal-kicking playmaker par excellence Dan Carter.

No such luck as Beauden Barrett stepped into Carter’s shoes in a blink and McCaw’s absence was mitigated by the presence of Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino.

After winning a second successive World Cup in October last year, the All Blacks embarked on a winning run of 18 matches, a streak broken when they went down 40-29 to Ireland in Chicago earlier this month.

It proved to be their sole loss in the calendar year. Thirteen victories were notched up in total and the Rugby Championship title claimed with two rounds to play.

The final win of the year came on Saturday, a 24-19 victory over a feisty France team that threw everything at New Zealand without really ever threatening to come close to an upset.

But a marked improvement from the 62-13 World Cup quarterfinal mauling the Tricolors received last year.

“It felt like the old French rugby team. They wanted to run the ball at every opportunity,” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

“They should be very happy with the progress they’re making, but at the same time I’m also very happy with our own team.”

New Zealand were often on the back foot but a clinical three-try performance helped them beat the wasteful French side in their final autumn test at the Stade de France.

Flyhalf Barrett scored a try and kicked nine points to add to Israel Dagg and Charlie Faumuina’s tries, ensuring that the All Blacks remained unbeaten in Paris since 1973.

Maxime Machenaud kicked two penalties while Baptiste Serin slotted two penalties and a conversion as France, who scored a try through Louis Picamoles, failed to make their first-half dominance count.

“They are cold-blooded killers,” France captain Guilhem Guirado said