The New Zealand forwards garnered praise from their coaches after gaining revenge against France.
Hansen delighted to see All Blacks square the series
The New Zealand forwards garnered praise from their coaches after gaining revenge against France in Saturday's second Test.
The All Blacks, who went down 27-22 in the first Test in Dunedin a week ago, contested better on Saturday with loose forwards Jerome Kaino and Tanerau Latimer and hooker Keven Mealamu constantly pilfering French ball.
The tight five, led by lock Brad Thorn, also hit the breakdown more effectively, knocking French tacklers off balance to provide quicker ball for scrum-half Jimmy Cowan and were more aggressive on the counter-ruck to disrupt the French possession.
All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen said: "We played a lot better right across the park, particularly the tight five.
"They were a lot more effective in what they did and in their decision making. Their work at the breakdown gave the three loose guys the opportunity and they played particularly well.
"They got a good platform to work off and that was the big difference between the first Test and the second Test."
Improvements
Unlike last week in Dunedin, there was more balance up front on Saturday, with the return of the more experienced Kaino at blindside helping Latimer at openside flanker and number eight Kieran Read into the game, Hansen said.
"I was really impressed with Jerome Kaino," he added. "He had not played in a long time and he came back and really led the two young fellas around the park."
Read, who was making his first appearance at number eight at Test level, also praised the work of the tight five.
"The tight five did an awesome job and it makes it easy for a number eight...I got a lot of good quality ball that I could use," Read said.
"We started well and the guys really stamped their authority on the game and we got a roll on."
