All Blacks better but tough season looms

The wind and rain set the stage for the All Blacks' gripping win over France. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The All Blacks' confidence is restored but at this rate France will not be the only team knocking hard on their rugby trophy cabinet door this year.

Last night's 14-10 gripping win in the second test represented a sizeable turnaround in a week for coach Graham Henry's team, even if it was not enough to prevent a French heist of the Dave Gallaher Cup on points differential.

Further improvement is clearly needed if the other major silverware up for grabs in 2009 - the Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations Trophy - are to remain under lock and key.

Australia have launched 2009 with an efficient 2-0 sweep of Italy while South Africa trampled the British and Irish Lions up front for a 26-21 victory in the first test in Durban overnight.

It is too early to make an informed comparison but the All Blacks were stretched to breaking point at times again last night, with improved forward basics and superior defence the key improvements on their five-point loss at Dunedin a week earlier.

However, this is not yet a world-beating French side and Henry will be anxious that captain Richie McCaw and other key absentees complete their rehabilitation before the Tri-Nations starts against Australia in Auckland on July 19.

Before then is a test against Italy in Christchurch on Saturday, the level of opposition perhaps allowing some New Zealand attacking verve which was suffocated again last night by the French and the atrocious conditions.

For the second successive year, Wellington's weather turned septic on test night, forcing an uninspiring spectacle of kicking, chasing, slipping and fumbling, although it was a nailbiting contest nonetheless.

And as with last year's 21-11 defeat of Ireland, the New Zealanders did the business up front, leaving forwards coach Steve Hansen convinced of the psychological benefits after being taught a lesson at Carisbrook.

"It'll be huge. It'll reinforce to the old guys that you've got to front up each week and do things right," he said today.

"More importantly, for the young fellas, to be in a black jersey and know that you get rewards for working hard in the week and taking that on to the field is massive."

The toil of forwards such as Keven Mealamu, Brad Thorn, Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read and Tanerau Latimer in his first test start ensured the All Blacks dominated possession for the second consecutive week.

Aside from tryscoring second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu's incisive running, there was not a lot to recall fondly from a backline that will want to forget the icy wind and rain.

First five-eighth Stephen Donald failed to impose himself again while veteran winger Joe Rokocoko's test was as erratic as the runaway French rooster which kept the crowd amused for minutes before kickoff.

On the other wing, Cory Jane believed he had scored his first test try, only to be foiled by third match official George Ayoub, who could not see a grounding.

It left Jane to reflect on France's lone try -- the spectacular solo run by opposite Cedric Heymans.

Starting with Jane, four defenders barely laid a hand on Heymans during his jinking, swerving 50m sideline dash.

"I ended up getting dusted on the outside -- it's not a good feeling," Jane said.

A specialist fullback but used by Henry on the wing, Jane's defensive naivety on the flank was exposed as he forgot to communicate with the defender inside him.

"I just have to talk a little bit more and hopefully I'm hanging around a bit more (selected) and I can get used to winger a little bit more."

French coach Marc Lievremont praised his team, who he said matched the intensity of a week earlier.

He said one key difference was the performance of South African referee Marius Jonker, who did not control the breakdown in the same manner as Irishman George Clancy in Dunedin.

"I didn't always understand the decisions of the referee. I think there is a huge difference between the way referees interpret the rucks in the Top 14 compared to what happens in the southern hemisphere," Lievremont said through a translator.

"Here, people are allowed to do far more when the ball is on the deck compared to the northern hemisphere."

France complete their tour with a one-off test against Australia in Sydney on Saturday.

Meanwhile, more All Blacks reinforcements should be fit for the Italy test, with lock Ali Williams (achilles) and halfback Brendon Leonard (hamstring) likely to have shaken off injury.

However, Donald (hamstring) and hooker Andrew Hore (ribs) are unlikely starters while centre Conrad Smith is "sore" but a good chance to play.