The All Blacks gained revenge for last weekend’s shock defeat to France with a hard-fought victory over the same opposition in Wellington.
New Zealand ran out 14-10 winners at the Westpac Stadium courtesy of a well-worked try from centre Ma’a Nonu, two penalties from Stephen Donald and another from former Sale centre Luke McAlister.
France, who were 27-22 winners in Dunedin a week ago, hit back with a fine solo try from Cedric Heymans, a conversion from Julien Dupy and a penalty by Dimitri Yachvili, but it was Graham Henry’s men who coped with the horrific weather conditions more efficiently.
The narrow margin of the New Zealand victory means it is France who win the two-match series, however, thanks to a greater points aggregate over the two fixtures.
Australia were the third southern hemisphere giant to record a victory over northern hemisphere opposition as they defeated Italy for the second week running.
A brace of tries from replacement Adam Ashley-Cooper, together with further scores from hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and centre Ryan Cross, proved more than enough for the Wallabies as they secured a 2-0 series win with a 34-12 triumph in Melbourne.
