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All Blacks overcome tough France
Israel Dagg of the All Blacks makes a break during the first test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Eden Park on June 8, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.
(June 7, 2013 - Source: Hannah Johnston/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Once again New Zealand were made to work very hard to get the better of France at Eden Park, winning 23-13 in an entertaining clash on Saturday.
In the first game between these sides since the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final at the same venue, the All Blacks outscored their visitors two tries to one but were pushed all the way by a French side showing a marked improvement on their woeful Six Nations campaign.
Luke Romano of the All Blacks is tackled by Sebastien Vahaamahina of France during the first test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Eden Park on June 8, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.
(June 7, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Both sides wasted several golden opportunities to score, most notably France number eight Louis Picamoles who dropped the ball with the line open following a devastating break from Florian Fritz.
The second match of the series is in Christchurch on June 15 with the final game in New Plymouth a week later.
Kieran Read of the All Blacks makes a break during the first test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Eden Park on June 8, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.
(June 7, 2013 - Source: Hannah Johnston/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Man of the match: A tough call to make. Louis Picamoles, Florian Fritz and Adrien Plante all did well for France while Ma'a Nonu made a welcome return to form in the black 12 jersey. But we'll go for Ben Smith, who not only created New Zealand's first try, but was rock solid at the back as the French looked to get the ball behind the Kiwi pack.
Moment of the match: The difference between the sides proved to be Sam Cane's try on the stroke of half time after Nonu beat Dusautoir.
Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks is tackled by Louis Picamoles of France during the first test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Eden Park on June 8, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.
(June 7, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Ben Smith of the All Blacks breaks the tackle of Thierry Dusautoir of France during the first test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Eden Park on June 8, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.
(June 7, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Vincent Debaty of France (R) fends off Aaron Cruden of the All Blacks during the first test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Eden Park on June 8, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.
(June 7, 2013 - Source: Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Sebastien Vahaamahina of France charges into Sam Cane of New Zealand during the first test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Eden Park on June 8, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.
(June 7, 2013 - Source: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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The All Blacks will be grateful they ground out a victory. They were bent out of shape and fractured for much of the test while France will rue another missed chance to get one over the famous rivals.
Rene Ranger of New Zealand runs on despite the tackle from Thierry Dusautoir of France during the first test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Eden Park on June 8, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.
(June 7, 2013 - Source: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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