KEY POINTS:
With the Paris test won and the mini-series against France completed, the All Blacks can be satisfied with the past two weeks.
Not only have the results on the field gone well but also the charm offensive on the French public and media appears to have been an
outstanding success.
All goes well for the continuing build-up for next year's World Cup. Graham Henry and co will have learnt more about themselves and the French after Paris than Lyon the week before.
The build-up must have been difficult as the French media and supporters built the cult of the All Blacks to fever pitch. It must have been a challenge for the mental preparation of the team.
The selectors must have been feeling the heat too - this All Black selection was finally acknowledged as the best by Henry, Steve Hansen, Wayne Smith and Sir Brian Lochore.
The French were more resolute and competitive than the week before. Tactically, they maintained the policy of a crude form of drive back where any thought to attack was discarded for kicking.
First five-eighths Damien Traille stood deep and in the pocket, announcing exactly how France would play. His kicking was poor and it would be strange if he is retained in the No 10 jersey.
The pace of the game was slowed with constant injuries - real and planned - to negate the fitness and continuity superiority of the All Blacks.
The high bomb which Leon MacDonald dropped gave the French hope with an early try and coach Bernard Laporte probably felt justified with his kicking tactics.
It looked to me like the French were happy just to keep in touch with the All Blacks on the scoreboard and had conceded defeat before kick-off.
Certainly the shot for goal with two minutes left to get them within 12 points indicated their intentions.
I am out of the habit of commenting on referees but Chris White had a poor match being inaccurate and lazy with some interpretation at the ruck and maul allowing both teams to slow the ball. He also missed a fair bit of off-the-ball play. Where were his touch judges?
Both teams used obstruction off the ball too often and White seemed in the mood to adopt a laissez-faire attitude to the occasion.
The All Blacks did most things right but found the French had a bit more edge than in Lyon. The gaps closed more quickly and opportunities for turnovers and tries evaporated unlike the previous week.
The set-pieces were again strong with the scrum always having the edge. Problems with the lineout seem a thing of the past now that simplicity seems to be the dominant call.
The French had a tall middle and backrow but the All Blacks still maintained parity, which should be another tick for the smallish in height backrow of Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo and Richie McCaw.
The midfield experiment did nothing wrong but the French resistance was better and it took a while for Dan Carter to manipulate the defence to give Ma'a Nonu a stroll to the line. MacDonald made a couple of unforced errors and Mils Muliaina might be back at fullback for Wales.
Best player was Ali Williams. He was again strong at kick-offs for and against, controlled his area at lineout and defended with aggression.
The extra bit he is offering is a maturity of mind and an enthusiasm around the paddock which creates opportunities for others.
Before this tour, his place at the top might have been in doubt; now he is our best lock.
In the past two weeks, the All Blacks have maintained their psychological dominance over the French, got a taste for how things work in France and established their credentials as good value for the public and media in France.
The Paris test may have taught them more than Lyon - negative and sometimes illegal opposition tactics and flaky refereeing can affect the flow and scoring in tests.
They coped well and still controlled the game, which shows the maturity and leadership of the group .
As for France, well Laporte will claim he has closed the gap. France tour New Zealand next year when his team will need to offer more tactically and mentally if they are serious about beating this All Black team.
