Chris Rattue rates the players following the All Blacks' 24-19 win over France this morning in Paris.
Israel Dagg 7
Brilliant early moment, running expertly off Savea for try. Long punts. Tired though, and not much else.
Waisake Naholo 7
Excelled in areas regarded as dodgy, like handling, but limited in terms of his strong suit - running.
Anton Lienert-Brown 7
Came through rugged test relying on immaculate defence. Well contained behind battling pack.
Ryan Crotty 5
Part of the early clinging-on mission but quiet game and departed early.
Julian Savea 6
Fine catch off Barrett cross kick set up try. Patchy test, with some better moments in final quarter.
Beauden Barrett 8
Glass reasonably full. Match winner saved the day again, but the plan involved far too much ineffective kicking.
TJ Perenara 7
A physically demanding test against strong French pack...had to confront mighty Atonio head on. Did very well without unleashing the magic.
Kieran Read 7
Hurt the French lineout, chased kickoffs...defence a bit erratic and his attack remains stunted.
Matt Todd 6
Got an early turnover, worked away, but maybe physical opponents overwhelm him.
Jerome Kaino 6
Looked tired by his usual highly physical standards. Clung on rather than confronted.
Sam Whitelock 8
Didn't make much ground but powerful elsewhere with early steals, high work rate, strong lineouts. Big miss on Dulin rare black mark.
Brodie Retallick 6
Hooked early and unlikely you will ever see such a low impact Retallick game again.
Owen Franks 6
Average game with the odd big tackle. Scrums solid. The early season attack was missing.
Dane Coles 8
Top mark for perfect lineout throwing, which was absolutely crucial. Moderate otherwise.
Joe Moody 7
Scrum held up well. Big defensive effort. Nothing with the ball.
Reserves
Codie Taylor (Coles, 63m) 6
Kept up the lineout quality and a couple of bursts.
Wyatt Crockett (Moody, 44m) 4
Smashed by Slimani in scrum for French try. Decked by Atonio run, gave up penalties. Little else.
Charlie Faumuina (Franks, 48m) 7
Also in that one scrum disaster near goal line, but sharp reaction for try and got involved.
Scott Barrett (Retallick, 44m) 6
Immediately grabbed a kick off and set off upfield, and kept going in tidy match.
Ardie Savea (Todd, 56m) 6
Played his part in pinning France back late, but still has the look of an apprentice.
Aaron Smith (Perenara, 59m) 6
Showed glimpses of his old sharpness. One blooper.
Aaron Cruden (Dagg, 56m) 6
Like the other Aaron, odd dab down memory lane. Missed a bomb.
Rieko Ioane (Crotty, 44m) 6
Made some serious ground and one, good aggressive defensive move.
Brice Dulin 7
Came up in the line, high involvement and caused some problems.
Noa Nakaitaci 7
Went hunting everywhere at times. A dangerman. Poor effort on Barrett's try-creating cross-kick.
Remi Lamerat 6
The big centre's highlight - ripping ball off even bigger Julian Savea.
Wesley Fofana 6
Dazed early and not the force he might have been behind strong pack.
Virimi Vakatawa 7
France possess a potential lethal double act on the wings but it couldn't quite deliver here.
Camille Lopez 6
Some excellent stuff. But failed big moments: hauled down by Naholo near tryline and gave up intercept for Barrett's try.
Maxime Machenaud 7
A series of fine dabs. Lacked a bit of energy at times.
Lous Picamoles 7
Bruising game in the tight, not always secure though. One limelight moment, when alert for try.
Kevin Gourdon 8
Terrific running, defended well, and part of the odd midfield ploy which put All Blacks on back foot.
Charles Ollivon 6
Hurtled pas Moody on one run. Young, athletic loosie could be a decent find for France.
Yoann Maestri 4
Crocked early without contributing much.
Sebastien Vahaamahina 7
Stupid early penalty costly. Banged about but unbowed. Good physical game.
Uini Atonio 8
Two particularly memorable runs among a number from the giant plus snappy one handed pass.
Guilhem Guirado 4
Lineout throwing shocker cost his side dearly. Five lost by this count.
Xavier Chiocci 7
Three bursts with the ball and still humming until replaced.
Reserves
Camille Chat (Guirado, 70m) 6
Managed to get a couple of runs in.
Cyril Baille (Chiocci, 61m) 6
Part of one mighty scrum which created try. Little else.
Rabah Slimani (Atonio, 61m) 6
Ditto above.
Julien Le Devedec (Maestri, 16m) 6
Busy on the ball but some lineout issues and prone to going backwards in contact.
Damien Chouly (Picamoles, 66m) 5
Fairly anonymous.
Baptiste Serin (Machenaud, 48m) 7
Added spark - sharp work created try and also clever reverse pass off deck to admire.
Jean-Marc Doussain - DNP
Gael Fickou (Lamerat, 61m) 4
Double chance, including run for dazed Fofana, but contributed little.
OPINION: There are three key reasons to believe that they can.