All Blacks coach Scott Robertson did not expect miracles in the first test of the season.
He also did not subscribe to the common belief the All Blacks would have an easy night against a vastly depleted French team at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.
While the home side played well in patches, they butchered lots of opportunities and displayed some concerning indecision at times, but the coach felt they fought hard to withstand the gutsy tourists.
"We knew any French team, especially on tour, that has been written off is going to put up a scrap and fight for everything," Robertson said.
"They didn’t go away, and it was a hell of a test match.
"We stayed brave, which was the key. That second half was a pretty impressive performance."
The All Blacks had three tries scrubbed out for various reasons after officials watched replays.
Robertson felt those moments, and a couple of others when his side could have put the game away, were crucial in the wash-up of the test.
"We probably needed to get a couple of scores ahead so they (France) had to play a little bit more.
"Territory and possession was in our hands, but we just didn’t quite finish enough to put pressure on them."
While the All Blacks, sparked by halfback Cameron Roigard and fullback Damian McKenzie, showed some enterprise at times on attack, they would not have been delighted to concede 27 points at home.
The French, powered by No 8 Mickael Guillard and fullback Theo Attissogbe, were too often able to find gaps in the line in
the first hour of the Dunedin test.
"We know what we’ve got to do. We’ve just got to stop them now," Robertson said.
"The French were pretty ruthless. They had a high conversion rate, and they knock on the front door and keep coming. They're pretty powerful, so I was pleased that the defence got us the result."
Robertson was delighted to see Fabian Holland, Christian Lio-Willie, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Ollie Norris earn their first test caps, and felt they all made an impact.
Highlanders star Holland played the full 80 minutes and led the All Blacks’ tackle count.
"He can go 100 minutes, I reckon. He’s a big man with a big engine."
Winger Sevu Reece failed his HIA from the knock that removed him from the test after just 57sec and he will miss the second test in Wellington.
Caleb Clarke is the only other specialist wing in the squad but it seems likely Rieko Ioane will stay on the left, Will Jordan will start on the right and McKenzie will start at fullback.
Captain Scott Barrett was substituted during the second half because of a tender Achilles tendon, while a decision will be made tomorrow on whether prop Tyrel Lomax (calf) can be considered.
