France coach Bernard Laporte was full of praise for his team's guts and courage. On referee Stuart Dickinson, he wasn't as magnanimous.
Through an interpreter, Laporte made it clear they did not understand several of the Australian's rulings.
"There was a definite forward pass for one try anda very short advantage played for a knock-on that cost three points," Laporte said.
There was no suggestion Dickinson or his television cohort George "100 different replays" Ayoub cost the French the match.
But Laporte had a genuine grievance with Sitiveni Sivivatu's second try that came from a blatant Nick Evans forward pass.
Otherwise Laporte, manager Jo Maso and captain Pascal Pape seemed as happy as a team that just lost by 31 points could be.
Given their horrendous preparation and the fact this team was so far removed from France's best XV, it was perhaps understandable.
"Eleven of the 22 were playing their first international games," Laporte said. "And they played with a lot of feeling and emotion and I congratulate them for that."
Just one All Black - Brendon Leonard - made his debut and the halfback was pleased with his 17 minutes of action.
Leonard said the combination of Rodney So'oialo and Nick Evans inside and outside of him made his transition from Super rugby to tests an easy one.
A weak French team added to that comfort level. Before the year is out, Leonard will encounter more difficult assignments.
