All Blacks square series
New Zealand avoided a first home series defeat for 15 years with a narrow win over France.
Last Updated: 20/06/09 1:46pm
New Zealand avoided losing their first home series for 15 years with a narrow win over France in the second Test in Wellington on Saturday.
The Kiwis avenged last week's shock defeat at Carisbrook with a 14-10 victory to square the series at a rain-lashed Westpac Stadium.
A patchy start saw Stephen Donald miss two penalties, Damien Traille send a drop goal attempt wide and numerous of knock-ons from both sides.
But Ma'a Nonu crossed for what would be New Zealand's only try in the 26th minute after Keven Mealamu burst up the middle.
Quick possession sent the French defence scampering to the left before Joe Rokocoko broke right and offloaded to Nonu for the centre to canter home.
Although the resulting conversion was also missed, Stephen Donald made amends with a penalty late in the half to take his side into the break with an 8-0 lead
Brilliant
It took France just three minutes after the restart to answer, Cedric Heymans racing down the left before stepping inside Rokocoko and sprinting to the line for a brilliant 50m solo effort.
Julien Dupuy's slotted the ball between the posts to take his side to within a point of the hosts.
Donald stretched the home side's lead to 11-7 with a penalty and some superb covering defence from lock Brad Thorn stopped the French taking the lead when Vincent Clerc lost the ball in the tackle.
Substitute Luke McAlister, on in place of Donald, then slotted a goal to extend the gap to seven points.
Dimitri Yachvili, making his 40th Test appearance, set up a tense finish with a penalty 13 minutes from time but New Zealand held on to secure victory.
