The All Blacks lost Sevu Reece early in the game and bounced back with four tries as Beauden Barrett led the backline which looked sharp at times but also exposed defensive issues which will need to be rectified quickly. The game was played in front of a crowd of 28,532 but the All Blacks did not get the defensive crunch they were after with Tupou Vaa'i's move to six. It was a tense last quarter with the All Blacks leading by the narrowest lead 28-27. France winger Gabin Villiere received a yellow card which gave the All Blacks a chance to see out the game but Will Jordan was denied his hat trick when referee Nic Berry ruled that Pasilio Tosi obstructed a French defender in the buildup which left for a nervous final 15 minutes and the French sniffing a famous upset. However, Beauden Barrett extended the lead to four with six minutes left on the clock. France failed to make the most of the possession they had late in the game and the All Blacks claimed the win after a tough battle. Reece left the field of play after just a minute. He picked up a knock in the tackle getting his head in the wrong place as he tried to smash France out-half Joris Segonds and immediately replaced by Damian McKenzie as Will Jordan moving to the right wing. The All Blacks started the game in a frantic manner looking to be stuck in Super Rugby mode in the opening 10 minutes. France won the early kicking exchanges with debutant out-half Segonds showing his impressive right boot. The All Blacks struggled to get out of their own half. Jordie Barrett looked like he had opened the gates for his side after a break from Cameron Roigard but it was overturned for an earlier knock on. France got their first try when fullback Theo Attissogbe beat Proctor on the outside for No. 8 Mickael Guillard to crash over at close range. The All Blacks hit back quickly when Will Jordan dotted down in the corner and was the start of a purple patch for the home side. Vaa'i powered over after an elusive McKenzie run and found their third try just before half-time when Jordie Barrett finished in the right corner. Beauden Barrett nailed a difficult conversion to leave it 21-13 at the break.