Cedate Gomes Sa scored his first Test try for France who battled hard but went down 26-13 in difficult circumstances against New Zealand in Wellington.
After starting strongly, Les Bleus lost Benjamin Fall to a red card after 12 minutes for a mistimed tackle in the air, playing the remainder of the game with 14 men.
Against the world champions, that was always going to be tough, and the hosts ran in three first-half tries to lead 21-6 at the break.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, France kept going, dominating both possession and territory in the second period, and they eventually got their reward through replacement tighthead prop Gomes Sa.
QUICK START Les Bleus had started in impressive fashion, with Anthony Belleau and Kélian Galletier combining to almost put in Geoffrey Doumayrou for the game’s first try. The centre lost possession of the ball just as he rolled over the line, much to the disappointment of the visiting supporters.
They did take the lead soon after though thanks to three points from the boot of Morgan Parra, but when Fall misjudged a high ball and collided with Beauden Barrett, France were reduced to 14.
New Zealand capitalised almost immediately through Joe Moody, and when Ben Smith ran in their second try on 20 minutes, it looked like being a long day for France.
Parra knocked over his second penalty to cut the deficit and France held out from there until just on the stroke of half-time, when Jordie Barrett ghosted over. TIGHT AFTER THE BREAK
The second half was evenly fought, with Barrett getting his second try after good work from Damian McKenzie to make it 26-6 just before the hour.
However France never gave up, and almost had a try from a debutant 12 minutes from time. Pierre Bourgarit showed his carrying ability when he burst onto the ball and got over from the 22, but he had been dragged down by Ben Smith and was deemed to have made a double movement before touching down.
France would not be denied a try though, and they got it from a length-of-the-field counter-attack, going from their own 22 and eventually it was Gomes Sa, from flanker Kévin Gourdon, who raced over for the try. Jules Plisson added the extras.
