All Blacks Sweep Series Against Understretched France But Leave Much to Be Desired

The All Blacks secured a hard-fought 29-19 victory over an understrength French team in Hamilton, sweeping the series with their third win in three matches. However, the performance left much to be desired, with the New Zealand side showing signs of inconsistency and a lack of composure that will need to be addressed ahead of the Rugby Championship.

Coach Scott Robertson made a bold move, rotating 10 starting players in an effort to build depth and test fringe talent. While some players, like Samipeni Finau, shone in their first starts, others fell short of expectations, particularly in key positions such as hooker and halfback. This lack of cohesion was evident throughout the match, with the All Blacks struggling to execute their usual fluid and dominant style of play.

The French, despite being missing several key players, showed marked improvement and applied pressure through their kicking game in the first half. This forced the All Blacks into a helter-skelter approach that led to several errors, including a costly chip kick by Ardie Savea that handed France a try. The backline also struggled with handling and combinations, leading to missed opportunities and a lack of penetration against a resolute French defense.

The All Blacks eventually found their rhythm in the second half, with two tries from Will Jordan and Anton Lienert-Brown helping them secure the win. However, the victory was far from convincing, with the team showing a lack of ruthlessness and composure that will be crucial in upcoming matches. The defensive effort was commendable, particularly in keeping France scoreless in the second half, but overall, the performance fell short of the high standards expected from the world champions.

With the series now behind them, the All Blacks will need to refocus on regaining accuracy and momentum ahead of the Rugby Championship. While the victory is a welcome addition to their record, the performance highlights the need for further development in depth and consistency across the squad. As Robertson continues to push for long-term success, the immediate challenge remains to ensure the All Blacks are at their best when it matters most.