12. Sonny Bill Williams - 7
Could've been wearing a yellow jersey the way the French chased him. Offload slippery against Les Bleus blanket.
11. Rieko Ioane - 7
Missed tackle in lead-up to Serin try. Lucky to avoid knock-on in 7th minute line scramble. Slick hat-trick redemption.
10. Damian McKenzie - 8
Composure reigned after early frenzy. Ref helped one try. Pace to flee in 47th. Hot kumara Ioane pass a highlight.
9. Aaron Smith - 7
Pass looked sharper and runners more military in execution to speed up the game. Uncannily first to most try celebrations.
8. Luke Whitelock - 6
Body position immaculate to stop maul in 43rd minute. Contender for best applied headband. No cauliflower ears there.
7. Ardie Savea - 5
Hobbled away after Serin try. Exited before end of the first quarter with minimal chance to establish dominance.
6. Shannon Frizell - 6
Debutant made decent yards and tackles. Spilt blood after a donk to the head after 1st quarter. Wiry display upon return
5. Scott Barrett - 8
Another top contribution. A tackling robot. Could've auditioned for Fagin the way he picked Galletier's pocket.
4. Sam Whitelock - 7
Gave quality washing machine impression in mauls as he wrestled for possession. Missed Fickou break in 37th.
3. Owen Franks - 6
Committed to working and disrupting behind the scenes. Tuungafasi brought into the action early in 2nd half.
2. Codie Taylor - 8
The sort of bloke you'd want at a school or club working bee. Won 40th minute penalty as French advanced on ABs line.
1. Joe Moody - 7
Missed Fickou tackle in 37th minute as if he was a rhinoceros chasing a butterfly. Steady scrum and lineout work.
Reserves:
16. Liam Coltman - 7
17. Karl Tu'inukuafe - 6
18. Ofa Tuungafasi - 7
19. Jackson Hemopo - 7
20. Matt Todd - 8
21. TJ Perenara - 6
22. Richie Mo'unga - 7
23. Jordie Barrett - 7
Felix Lambey of France makes a break. Photo / GettyFrance:
15. Benjamin Fall - 7
Never flinched contesting and nabbing early high ball against Naholo. A credit to him, given last week's fiasco.
14. Teddy Thomas - 6
Almost pulled off miraculous chip and chase in 7th minute. Quieter than Marcel Marceau in latter stages.
13. Remi Lamerat - 6
Clean running to straighten attack. Pace offered more verve to attack in place of Bastareaud.
12. Wesley Fofana - 6
Added sharpness with his slinky running lines and subtle offloading. A welcome starter but impact diminished late.
11. Gael Fickou - 6
Top catch under Naholo pressure in 16th minute. Struggled against opposing attack as match opened up.
10. Anthony Belleau - 5
Handy direction early, but stamped authority like a distracted passport officer as team faced retreat.
9. Morgan Parra - 7
Quality generalship in early blitz of 20+ phases before head knock forced him to make way for sniping Serin.
8. Kevin Gourdon - 6
Faced constant pressure as the loose trio underwent blowtorch scrutiny, especially after halftime.
7. Kelian Galletier - 6
Storming runner on occasion. Nailed and stripped by Barrett in 59th to set-up another Ioane try.
6. Mathieu Babillot - 6
Struggled at the breakdown as the ABs brought increased hunger. Difficulties with team going backwards.
5. Yoann Maestri - 6
Crisp take in 43rd minute amid an otherwise shambolic lineout effort that offered as much resistance as a ripe brie.
4. Bernard Le Roux - 7
Three momentous tackles from 15th to 20th minutes to stop S.Whitelock, McKenzie and Williams. Passionate effort.
3. Uini Atonio - 6
Glaring error in 47th minute allowing McKenzie through. Could have eaten a degustation menu off his back in the scrum.
2. Camille Chat - 6
Earned Jacques Cousteau explorer award as he tried to penetrate defence. Give him an aqualung. Lineout struggles hindered.
1. Dany Priso - 7
Swerved like a Citroen on Boulevard St Germain with ball in hand. Solid scrummaging never surrendered.
Reserves:
16. Adrien Pelissie - 6
17. Cyril Baille - N/A
18. Cedate Gomes Sa - N/A
19. Felix Lambey - 6
20. Alexandre Lapandry - N/A
21. Baptiste Serin - 7
22. Jules Plisson - 6
23. Maxime Medard - 6
