Player ratings: Outclassed
The French were thoroughly outclassed in their 0-30 humbling at the hands of the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday.
The shutout would have come as a terrible disappointment for Les Bleus after they asked so many questions in the opening Test in Auckland last week.
Such is the unpredictable and inconsistent nature of the French though. Having said that, the hammering came down more to the All Blacks' sheer class than it did a French meltdown.
Quintin van Jaarsveld rates the French players.
15 Maxime Medard
Out-of-sorts at the back; running sideways, passing forward and making poor decisions that put the French under pressure deep inside their territory. Won some points for a try-saving scramble on opposite number Israel Dagg before being plucked at half-time.
5/10
14 Adrien Plante
Very quiet on the right wing, making minimal impact on the match. Will have to improve his workrate.
5/10
13 Florian Fritz
Put in a big hit on Ma’a Nonu to inspire his team after a slow start, showed good tactical awareness to kick France into the All Black 22 and won a turnover at the breakdown. Lucky to get away with a professional foul.
6/10
12 Wesley Fofana
Very impressive with ball in hand. He’s just such a strong ball carrier and beat three defenders
6/10
11 Yoann Huget
Strong on attack – beating two defenders – and made a big hit on Luke Romano but gave away a penalty.
6/10
10 Frederic Michalak
A typical Michalak nightmare. His decision-making was dreadful as he twice went for a drop-goal, the first missing by some way and the second charged down and ending in a try on the other end of the field. Also missed a kick at goal, failed to find touch from a penalty and missed a number of tackles.
3/10
9 Maxime Machenaud
Great courage and strength by the little scrumhalf to knock Ma’a Nonu into touch five metres from the try-line.
6/10
8 Louis Picamoles
A standout performer for the French. While he wasn’t reliable under the high ball he was outstanding with ball in hand, making 56 metres in 10 runs before succumbing to injury.
7/10
7 Bernard le Roux
A satisfactory debut by the South African-born back row forward. He made a few powerful runs, offloaded in the tackle, led the French tackle count and featured in the misfiring line-outs.
6/10
6 Thierry Dusautoir (captain)
One of just two French players to win his head-to-head battle, the “Dark Destroyer” secured some vital turnovers for his team including one on opposite number Liam Messam five metres from the try-line.
7/10
5 Yoann Maestri
Was outclassed in the line-outs by Sam Whitelock and slipped a few tackles.
5/10
4 Christophe Samson
The go-to man in the line-out but needs to up his workrate.
6/10
3 Nicolas Mas
The veteran got the better of Wyatt Crockett at scrum time.
6/10
2 Dimitri Szarzewski
On par with Michalak as far as shockers is concerned. His line-out throwing was so dreadful that All Black scrumhalf Aaron Smith had two line-out wins to his credit.
3/10
1 Thomas Domingo
Made a memorable driving surge inside the All Black 22 but conceded a penalty.
6/10
Replacements:
16 Benjamin Kayser (on for Szarzewski, 50th minute)
Brought some stability to the line-out.
6/10
17 Vincent Debaty (on for Domingo, 67th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Luc Ducalcon (on for Mas, 67th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
19 Sebastien Vahaamahina (on for Samson, 64th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
20 Yannick Nyanga (on for Picamoles, 53rd minute)
A solid cameo as he roamed the pitch and won some line-out balls but losing Picamoles was a big blow.
6/10
21 Brice Dulin (on for Medard, 40th minute)
Made a significant impact as he ran for 51 metres in 10 runs. He will surely start next weekend.
6.5/10
22 Remi Tales (on for Machenaud, 64th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
23 Mathieu Bastareaud (on for Fritz, 59th minute)
Cancelled out a strong carry with a lazy missed tackle.
5/10
