Arizona Tribune - Robertson hails 'ruthless' All Blacks after France crushed 43-17

New Zealand scored six tries, bouncing back from a nervous 31-27 win in the first Test in Dunedin.

Led by a dominant forward display, the home team cast aside an inexperienced French side who made 10 changes to their starting line-up.

The All Blacks were more clinical in converting scoring positions into points, having had three tries disallowed a week earlier.

Robertson said he had seen improvements in all facets.

"I thought we were ruthless in most parts of the game and allowed our backs to finish things off," Robertson said.

"It was good to see the referee making the calls and the flow of the game, keep it fast, and yeah, there was a lot of polish."

While the All Blacks made two injury-enforced changes from the opening Test, French coach Fabien Galthie removed a core of experienced players to name a starting side with just 60 Test caps between them.

Four starting French forwards were making their debuts and it showed as the home side dominated the breakdown and lineout in particular, giving a solid platform for standout scrum-half Cam Roigard to control the contest.

- 'Bring fire' -

Up 29-3 at half-time, the All Blacks were never threatened, securing a 10th straight win over France on home soil.

An early New Zealand penalty goal by fly-half Beauden Barrett was followed by three tries that all stemmed directly from lineouts -- the first to Roigard, who ran 30 metres untouched after a trick move that fooled the defence.

France scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec scored his team's only points of the half with a penalty before New Zealand pulled clear with successive tries from lineout drives to flanker Ardie Savea and hooker Codie Taylor.

Savea, standing in as captain in place of the injured Scott Barrett, gave a dominant display.

"The boys fronted up to get the W (win)," said Savea.

"This week we talked about our defence. We wanted to bring fire there and I think we did that in most parts of the game."

A former world player of the year, Savea instigated a brilliant team try before the interval.

His break from 60 metres out sparked a flowing move which ended with flanker Tupou Vaa'i scoring under the crossbar.

The half was marred by a yellow card offence from each side -- to Beauden Barrett for a deliberate knock-on and debutant French lock Joshua Brennan for a lifting tackle.

France made six substitutions early in the second half and the refreshed side created a try for fullback Leo Barre.

All Blacks fullback Will Jordan responded for the hosts with his 41st try in 43 Tests before wing Rieko Ioane powered across in the left corner.

Brennan had the final say for France, barging over for their second try.

Galthie was disappointed with the scoreline but pleased his team improved considerably in the second half, which was encouraging ahead of next Saturday's third Test in Hamilton.

"It's a difficult evening for us but I'd also like to congratulate the players," he said.

"Because, at 29-3, managing to score 14-all in the second half, we have the material to try to perform again next Saturday."

M.White--AT