France has shaken off a sloppy start to beat New Zealand 30-29 and record a third straight home win against the All Blacks.

The All Blacks will be in their change jerseys for the clash against the dark blue-clad French, for a challenge the French coach is calling "immense". It says a lot that Scott Robertson has justifiably benched his two best players from last weekend for the test against France, writes Jamie Wall.

France trailed early and at half-time before managing to turn the tide in a thrilling second half. Beating New Zealand three consecutives times has only happened twice before, in 1994 and 1995.

France suffered heartbreak at last year's World Cup when they were knocked out by South Africa by a single point in the quarter-finals, but Saturday's 30-29 victory against the All Blacks laid the foundations for a potentially bright future.