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Daniel Carter of the All Blacks runs into Antonie Claassen of France during the Third Test Match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Yarrow Stadium on June 22, 2013 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.
(June 21, 2013 - Source: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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All Blacks complete French clean sweep
The All Blacks completed a 3-0 series victory over France on Saturday with a 24-9 win at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth.
The result is New Zealand's seventh consecutive win over the French, who were once again held try-less, but the result hung in the balance right up to the dying minutes.
New Zeland led 8-6 at the end of an entertaining first-half thanks to a try from wing Ben Smith, but there was very little to choose between the sides.
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Owen Franks is tackled by Bernard Le Roux of France during the Third Test Match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Yarrow Stadium on June 22, 2013 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.
(June 21, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Indeed, the fired-up Bleus put in a much-improved display in all areas on last week's disaster - especially at the set piece and in their kicking out of hand - and regularly breached the All Blacks' defensive line.
But the hosts would strike at crucial times with Smith's try coming just before the break before Beauden Barrett scored in the last minute to give the scoreline a flattering appearance.
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Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks charges forward during the Third Test Match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Yarrow Stadium on June 22, 2013 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.
(June 21, 2013 - Source: Hannah Johnston/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Man of the Match A mention for rookie French pivot Remi Talès, who gave France a new attacking dimension but the standout performnace came from Luke Romano who carried like a machine and tackled tirelessly.
Moment of the match: No doubt about this one, Ben Smith's try turned the tide in New Zealand's favour.
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Rene Ranger of the All Blacks makes a run during the Third Test Match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Yarrow Stadium on June 22, 2013 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.
(June 21, 2013 - Source: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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All Blacks: ABs end series content
Contentment rather than elation flooded the All Black camp last night. Their ability to emerge triumphant against what they felt was the best French performance of the series was being cherished.
That was the point All Black coach Steve Hansen was at pains to stress - France had come to play, had kicked superbly and competed everywhere they needed to.
Ideally the All Blacks would have finished on a high by delivering an emphatic, dominating performance that left no doubt about their world ranking. That wasn't possible given the efforts of the French, but just because the game never flowed or the All Blacks never cut loose, wasn't necessarily enough to convince Hansen he and his players shouldn't be proud of what they managed.
"We probably didn't get them [improvements on Christchurch] in the way we would have liked to get them with a big flash scoreboard saying that we have won the game and we have won it easily," he said.
"What we got was a genuine contest and it was a battle of wills and we saw ourselves get through that. The pleasing part of our game was the last 20 minutes where we started to come forward and dominate with our defence and get some territory.
"The poorest part of our game was ball maintenance and we will have to improve that."
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Sam Whitelock of the All Blacks is tackled by Thierry Dusautoir of France during the Third Test Match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Yarrow Stadium on June 22, 2013 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.
(June 21, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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The All Blacks perform the haka during the Third Test Match between the New Zealand All Blacks and France at Yarrow Stadium on June 22, 2013 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.
(June 21, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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