Skipper: We must step up

– Captain Sam Whitelock (above) urged the All Blacks to rediscover their cutting edge in today’s final Test against an improving France.

While New Zealand won the first two Tests to secure the series, neither side is happy heading into the final showdown and Whitelock said there was pressure on the hosts to improve.

France feel aggrieved that refereeing decisions cost them dearly in the 52-11 and 26-13 losses.

“We probably weren’t as sharp as we were meant to (be),” Whitelock said of their inability to cash in on an under-manned France in the second Test.

The All Blacks have made 10 player changes and one positional change, including a shake-up in the loose forwards where Luke Whitelock, the captain’s younger brother, is the only backrower to retain his place.

The flankers are Ardie Savea in his 25th Test and Shannon Frizell on debut.

France have retained the same trio of Kevin Gourdon, Kelian Galletier and Mathieu Babillot, who were instrumental in the All Blacks conceding 20 turnovers in the second Test.

But the key French changes are in the centres where tour skipper Mathieu Bastareaud and Geoffrey Doumayrou have been replaced by Clermont pair Wesley Fofana and Remi Lamerat, with Morgan Parra given the captaincy.

Scrumhalf Parra believes France have zeroed in on an All Blacks weakness and were looking for another blitz start in Dunedin.

Les Bleus had the upper hand in the first two Tests, leading in both games until disputed refereeing decisions allowed New Zealand to launch fightbacks. – AFP