ALL BLACKS CLINCH SERIES:

FRANCE 11-23 NEW ZEALAND


France: (5) 11
Tries: Heymans
Pens: Yachvili (2)

New Zealand: (16) 23
Tries: Rokocoko, Nonu
Con: Carter (2)
Pens: Carter (3)


New Zealand beat France for the second time in seven days to further enhance their status as overwhelming favourites for next year's World Cup.

Despite an early shock when a Cedric Heymans try put France 5-3 ahead, an upset never looked likely in Paris.

Daniel Carter's kicking and tries either side of the break from Joe Rokocoko and Ma'a Nonu had the All Blacks 23-5 ahead after 50 minutes.

France battled but could only respond with two Dmitry Yachvili penalties.

New Zealand demolished France 47-3 in Lyon last week and were quickly ahead again when Carter slotted an early penalty.

But the 80,000 crowd in the Stade de France was ignited when Kiwi full-back Leon MacDonald dropped a high ball, allowing Heymans to scamper over in the corner.

If there were any nerves on the All Blacks side, the peerless Carter soon banished them with two penalties.

And with half-time approaching the New Zealanders landed a killer blow, combining superbly following a midfield break from MacDonald to send Rokocoko in at the corner.

Carter converted to give the All Blacks a useful 16-5 lead at the break and when centre Nonu powered over from close range early in the second half, the result was beyond doubt.

France did not capitulate, however, and dominated possession in the closing stages without ever really threatening the New Zealand line.

Yachvili did land his second penalty with two minutes to play but the Parisian crowd greeted the decision to kick for goal with derisory whistles.

"It was tough tonight," said Carter. "The French really took it to us and came back well in the second half. It was a scrappy win, but we will take it."

France coach Bernard Laporte said: "The All Blacks are a very good side, we know that, but if we hadn't had conceded that try at the end of the first half, it would not have been the same match."

France:
Elhorga; Rougerie, Fritz, Jauzion, Heymans; Traille, Elissalde; Miloud, Ibanez (capt), de Villiers, Nallet, Pape, Bonnaire, Martin, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Szarzewski, Marconnet, Jacquet, Betsen, Yachvili, Marty, Dominici.

New Zealand:
MacDonald; Rokocoko, Muliaina, Nonu, Sivivatu; Carter, Kelleher; Woodcock, Mealamu, Hayman, Jack, Williams, Collins, McCaw, So'oialo.
Replacements: Hore, Tialata, Eaton, Masoe, Ellis, Evans, McAlister.