Sport

All Blacks complete French clean sweep

08:27 am on 23 June 2013

The All Blacks have beaten France 24-9 to complete a clean sweep of the three match Test series last night in New Plymouth.

Spirited French defence limited the All Blacks to just one try in each half, and an 8-6 half time lead.

France opened the scoring with a drop goal in the seventh minute and kicked a penalty goal in each half.

Ben Smith crossed the line for New Zealand in the 35th minute before the home town favourite Beauden Barrett scored a try in the last minute of the game.

Dan Carter kicked 14 points through one conversion and four penalties.

Coach Steve Hansen was impressed with France and his team's progress over the series.

Hansen says the French turned up to play last night and put in their best performance of the series.

He says he's happy to have won the series and introduced five new players to the national team without anyone suffering a serious injury.

While disappointed the French coach Philippe Saint-André was able to take some positives out of the series.

Saint-André says he's pleased to have blooded several young players and that his team fought hard and showed spirit against the best side in the world.

France's next Test is against the All Blacks at Paris in November.