KEY POINTS:
It was a bit like going to the cinema - there was a definite sense of Hollywood from the French and some fluffed lines from the All Blacks.
It's hard to be too critical of the All Blacks after their recent reconditioning and their ordinary Super 14 form and, overall, I'd have to say it was a beneficial hit-out for them.
The French spent a lot of time gesticulating to the referee, throwing little injury dramas and slowing down and drawing out the game for as long as they could.
They went out to spoil and they spoiled well for about half an hour and kept in touch with the All Blacks. But that's all they did. There was never any sense they might be any danger to the All Blacks.
In fact, having played club rugby in France, it reminded me a lot of that old-style huff and puff rugby, with the forwards lumbering about, flopping on the rucks and striking an injury pose to have a breather. They realised they were a notch or two - or 12 - below the All Blacks and set about damage limitation.
Not that they had to try too hard at first. The All Blacks dropped and scrambled and mis-directed for a bit.
Ali Williams had a big game - player of the match for me - and Piri Weepu also had one of his better games. However, his combination with Masoe was terrible and Masoe looked like a No 8 who'd been playing openside flanker all season.
Aaron Mauger was very sharp and typical Mauger - he didn't do anything spectacular and stepped up the penetration and damaging passes in the second half.
But, again, it was a useful outing for the squad. Rodney So'oialo came on when Riche McCaw was hurt and played very well. So did Nick Evans, subbing for Dan Carter.
In fact, I thought Carter was a bit sluggish last night - probably the injury - and Evans really showed some dash and fizz when he came on. That will have reassured the coaches.
Reuben Thorne was busy and did a lot of Thorne-type tidying up but didn't impress overmuch.
The back three all tried hard but perhaps all of them tried too much and tried to push passes when a set-up was the better option.
Sivivatu scored two tries but made a few mistakes as well, though I was impressed with Joe Rokocoko. He looked fast and hard and went looking for work - and didn't look at all like a guy who has had no rugby and/or been out of form.
On the whole, it was a mixture - as the first test of a season often is, whether it is Fiji, Samoa, Italy or France C.
I think, too, it was far slipperier than it might have appeared on TV - although, no excuses.
The All Blacks will only be moderately pleased with that - but I can see them improving a lot in Wellington.
I can't honestly say the same about the French. They really did remind me of a good old French club side.
