Every one of today's final round of JWC pool games has something riding on it, but none more so, as far as the home side is concerned, than the Wales-France Pool B showdown in Albany.

From the get-go, this clash appealed as the tightest fixture of the day.

France operate at their best on raw emotion. They are at their best when they are seemingly hopeless cases. Then, the natural order of things tends to go out the window.

France, forever touted as an All Black nemesis, are nothing of the sort, writes Gregor Paul. Their record against NZ is fairly dire.

Centre, wing or fullback - the questions about where Ben Smith is best suited are likely to continue for some time.

As Steve Hansen picks over the remains of this untidy All Blacks performance, he can at least comfort himself with the fact that he is more aware of several things about his players.

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.

The All Blacks have made a clean sweep of France after winning their third and final test 24-9 at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth tonight.

Images from the All Blacks second test against France at Yarrow Stadium, 22 June 2013.

Auditions for the Wallabies and Lions series are done - now for the main acts.

Kieran Read probably shouldn't have played the last half-hour against France.

Few things satisfy coaches as much as their players carrying out their plans to the letter - and winning.

Some subtle structural amendments and more time in training were credited with the vast improvement in the All Blacks' defensive effort - the unquestionable area of excellence that allowed them to hold France scoreless for the first time in history.

The All Blacks did their homework and executed their game plan almost perfectly last night.

Images from the All Blacks second test against France at AMI Stadium, June 15 2013.

The All Blacks realise now that France's real weapon of choice is not their scrum, but their midfield.

All Black coach Steve Hansen didn't re-use his infamous "flush the dunny and move on" line last night but he must have been tempted.

Test match victories are like children - they have to be loved unconditionally. Last night's victory wasn't a thing of beauty. It wasn't a game to revel in. But it was a victory.

So far Aaron Cruden has relied on injury to win his starting All Black jersey ahead of Daniel Carter.

If I was the All Black coaching staff, I'd be pretty pleased with the 23-13 win and I'd be looking to start the same 15 next test.

All Blacks v France, Eden Park, 8 June 2013

Join us for the live blog of tonight's rugby international between the All Blacks and France from Eden Park.