Dunedin: Winger Rieko Ioane scored three tries while Damian McKenzie crossed twice in a full display of his attacking abilities as the All Blacks completed a 49-14 victory over France in Dunedin on Saturday that gave them a 3-0 series sweep.
McKenzie’s second try early in the second half gave the world champions a 28-14 lead and the breathing space they needed after the French had played the All Blacks at their own high tempo game for the first 45 minutes.
Fullback Ben Smith and replacement flanker Matt Todd also crossed for the All Blacks who were far more ruthless in the second half where they scored 28 unanswered points.
France scrumhalf Baptiste Serin, who replaced captain Morgan Parra early in the match, and the returning Wesley Fofana scored tries for the visitors, who were again impressive but over-ran by a relentless black wave in the final 30 minutes.
Utility back McKenzie had been given his first opportunity to start at his preferred position of flyhalf and the All Blacks benefited from his pace and instinctive ability to exploit space.
His tactical kicking, however, was wayward and at times put his side under pressure and question marks about his ability to control a test match will continue.
France, who have impressed on their tour without much luck, were combative in the contact, able to pass out of tackles and put support players into space, particularly in the first half.
They also played at a high pace that stretched the world champions’ defence with Serin and Fofana both crossing after counter attacks from deep inside their own territory gave them superb field position.
Their lineout, however, disintegrated under pressure from Scott Barrett, who was also impressive with his defensive work, contact at the breakdown and ball carrying.
For the third successive match the French could also feel hard done by at the hands of the match officials.
After lock Paul Gabrillagues was given a dubious yellow card in the first test and fullback Benjamin Fall sent off in the second, Irish referee John Lacey appeared to impede Serin from attempting a tackle on McKenzie when he scored his first try.
Ireland beat Australia 20-16 with Jonny Sexton’s boot helping them secure their first away series victory over the Wallabies in 39 years.
Both teams scored a try in a scrappy contest but the five penalties from the Irish fly-half Sexton earned the tourists their historic victory in Sydney.
Ireland dominated possession and territory in the first half but failed to make their opportunities count, securing only a slender three-point lead at halftime, before CJ Stander scored what proved to be a decisive try three minutes after the break.
