Kia ora and welcome to the 2nd test between the All Blacks and France at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
New Zealand have named an unchanged team from the one that ran riot against tourists in the first test last week.
France on the other hand, have made five changes to their side, with three players returning to 'Les Bleus' after playing in the Top 14 final.
We bring you live streaming written commentary, and all the action.
Commentary will start around 7:20pm.
Lineups
New Zealand
15 Jordie Barrett; 14 Ben Smith, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Rieko Ioane; 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Sam Whitelock, 5 Scott Barrett, 6 Liam Squire, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Luke Whitelock.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Karl Tui'inukuake, 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Ngani Laumape.
France
15 Ben Fall; 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 11 Gael Fickou; 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Morgan Parra; 1 Dany Priso, 2 Camille Chat, 3 Uini Atonio; 4 Bernard Le Roux, 5 Yoann Maestri; 6 Mathieu Babillot, 7 Kelian Galletier, 8 Kevin Gourdon
Replacements: 16 Pierre Bougarit, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Cedate Gomes Sa, 19 Paul Gabrillagues, 20 Alexandre Lapandry, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Maxime Medard
Match officials
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Luke Pearce (England)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
Previous results:
2018: New Zealand won 52-11 in Auckland
2017: New Zealand won 38-18 in Paris
2016: New Zealand won 24-19 in Paris
2015: New Zealand won 62-13 (World Cup quarter-final) in Cardiff
2013: New Zealand won 26-19 in Paris
7:18pm: So, we're back for round two of this three-match series. Hoping for a close test for the sake of rugby, but wouldn't mind seeing Laumape in full flight again.
7:20pm: You'd expect more of a fight from the French tonight, a more of an 80-minute performance. They've seen what NZ's about and have a few players returning.
7:25pm: There's a bit of rain about at the Cake Tin, but hoping there's plenty of running rugby. Both sides have pace to burn out wide.
7:28pm: Bastareaud leads out a cold-looking French team. The few 'Les Bleus' fans give them a warm reception.
7:29pm: Here come the All Blacks! The newly-shaven Sam Whitelock makes the walk followed by the rest of his teammates.
7:30pm: Time for the anthems, and then the haka. Just a few minutes away now from kick-off.
7:32pm: Perenara leading the haka as always with Whitelock front and centre. It's the 'Ka Mate'. Let's go!
7:34pm: Moments away now from getting underway. All Blacks to kick-off after winning the earlier toss.
1ST MINUTE: Barrett gets us underway and the ball beats everybody into touch. Luckily it bounced so it'll be a French lineout. ABs get up to steal it but Atonio nails Aaron Smith to force the error before NZ force the turnover from the maul.
2 MINUTES LATER: Barrett tries the cross-kick for Ben Smith straight from the scrum but he's overdone it and it'll be a French lineout just inside NZ territory. France try the bomb and Jordie's taken a hard fall in the contest but a French player knocked on.
2 MINUTES LATER: ABs get it back from the scrum and Barrett goes high with the kick but Fall does well to take it in on the run and put France into the NZ's half.
2 MINUTES LATER: Babillot's put into a huge hole and he's up inside the 22m! He links up with Doumayrou, he dives early for the try line but Beauden Barrett's SOMEHOW dislodged the ball free from his grasp JUST before the try line. What an effort.
2 MINUTES LATER: Belleau makes a break! He's got a defender closing, puts the grubber through for Thomas to chase but Ioane wins the race before NZ clear. France again making things happen early on!
2 MINUTES LATER: France win the lineout and try the maul. ABs defending well before a second shove forces them backwards and the tourists win the penalty. Cane came in from the side. Parra will have a shot. He nails it.
2 MINUTES LATER: France win the lineout and try the maul. ABs defending well before a second shove forces them backwards and the tourists win the penalty. Cane came in from the side. Parra will have a shot. He nails it.
2 MINUTES LATER, RED CARD: Belleau goes high with the kick and Beauden Barrett comes down HARD in the contest. Fall went in on him and and they're going to have a look upstairs. Wow, it's a red card! Is the contest all but over now? Beaudie's come off for McKenzie.
1 MINUTE LATER, ALL BLACKS TRY - MOODY: ABs playing it patiently, taking it up through their forwards up the near the 22m. Aaron Smith sees Moody of all people on the charge, fires a well-timed pass and the prop runs in 20 metres to score the try.
2 MINUTES LATER: France forwards combining well down the left wing, offloading in the tackle but they lose it in contact just outside the 22m. Jordie finds acres of space with the kick and France will have the lineout on their own 5m.
2 MINUTES LATER: Chat's throw is a shocker and Luke Whitelock steals it at the back! ABs just a few metres out, drawing the defence offside and win the penalty before calling for the scrum.
2 MINUTES LATER: Smith fires it hard to McKenzie in the pocket and he's just a metre short! The following pass is a shocker, forcing Ben Smith to turn around and clean up, he steps inside the French midfield before running in clear to score the try. News in, Beaudie's failed the HIA.
2 MINUTES LATER: Priso shows his strength, bumping off a couple tacklers, taking France up over halfway. Thomas tries the big step on Squire but is SMASHED before he's penalised for holding on too long. ABs lineout just seven metres or so out.
2 MINUTES LATER: Franks has a crack up the middle before being stopped. ABs keeping it tight but Maestri is penalised for being offside. ABs call for the scrum smack in front of the goal posts.
2 MINUTES LATER: Confusion between Smith and McKenzie sees the replacements first-five knock on. France put the shove on at the scrum and Moody's penalised for standing up under pressure.
2 MINUTES LATER: Babillot breaks a couple of tackles as the French loosies combine well but they're penalised at the breakdown. ABs go quick with the tap only to be pinged for the same thing.
2 MINUTES LATER: ABs guilty of trying to get up too quickly and are penalised for being offside. France opt for the shot at goal. Ball's flat, so ref calls for another. Easy as you like for Parra and they reduce the lead.
2 MINUTES LATER: Thomas does well to get up, win the restart and send Gourdon on a nice little run. Parra clears from the base and Jordie takes it in. McKenzie kicks only for Parra to find touch around halfway.
2 MINUTES LATER: Ioane beats one and he almost goes right through! Franks has a crack but France are on it and turn it over. They try the grubber but Ioane's back there to return it but an ABs player goes flying off his feet and is penalised.
2 MINUTES LATER: Ioane does brilliantly to get the pass away to Taylor on the inside before going out but France turn it over. They immediately knock on and the ABs counter! Ben Smith shows great strength in the tackle to offload to Aaron Smith, he has one to beat, draws him in but his offload to an unmarked Jordie Barrett is well forward.
2 MINUTES LATER: A scuffle breaks out between Cane and le Roux after the ABs loosie hit Parra late after the box kick. France awarded the penalty. ABs win the turnover and McKenzie puts the ball into the corner for a French linout on their own 5m.
2 MINUTES LATER, ALL BLACKS TRY - JORDIE BARRETT: McKenzie steps one before finally being dragged down. There's nobody at the ruck and France turn it over before they clear down field. Ioane gets it out wide, pins the ears back, somehow finds Lienert-Brown with the 'SBW' offload, he races away before drawing in one to send Jordie in under the sticks for the try.
HALFTIME, ALL BLACKS 21 - 6 FRANCE: Well, another match that will no doubt be marred by controversy. Fall undoubtably deserved the card, but the contest has been ruined. France looked as if they were going to only take an eight-point deficit into the break but a late Barrett try means they have it all to do in the 2nd half.
41ST MINUTE: France get the second half underway and Smith clears for Thomas to counter. A bit of hot potato ensues between both teams but NZ are adjudged to have made the first knock on.
2 MINUTES LATER: Belleau puts the bomb up and Jordie Barrett does brilliantly to win it, turn around and break away! He finds Cane on the inside in support but Luke Whitelock is penalised for hititng the ruck at an angle.
2 MINUTES LATER: France put the shove on at the scrum and it's Moody again who's been penalised. Atonio has had the upper-hand all game over his opponent. France win the lineout but Chat knocks on.
2 MINUTES LATER: Crotty doubles around but Bastareaud shows great defence. ABs shift direction to Ioane but there's little space this time for him. McKenzie tries the kick but it goes out on the full for a French linout outside the ABs 22m.
2 MINUTES LATER: Bastareaud has a charge and Savea does well to hang on. They go wide and Thomas beats a couple with the French just 10 or so out. Sam Whitelock is penalised for not rolling away.
2 MINUTES LATER: Galletier wins the lineout and France drive! Chat breaks away before Bastareaud tries the kick through only for another AB to be pinged for not rolling away. They try the lineout and drive but Chat knocks on.
2 MINUTES LATER: France's turn to be penalised at the scrum. The replacements making an immediate impact. Fifita wins the lineout before Crotty makes good ground up the middle. McKenzie tries the grubber but Fickou does well to take it in and find space.
2 MINUTES LATER: ABs put the pressure on at the breakdown and Jordie Barrett kicks for Ioane to chase. Thomas wins the race, steps one before finally being tackled just six metres out from his own try line. Belleau finally clears towards the 22m.
2 MINUTES LATER, ALL BLACKS TRY - JORDIE BARRETT: ABs once again put the pressure on at the scrum but Serin clears up over halfway. Sam Whitelock wins the lineout and the ABs drive. McKenzie puts the foot down and he's away! He links up with Perenara who's tackled just five metres out. McKenzie has another crack, shows the ball before puting Jordie Barrett in for his second try.
3 MINUTES LATER: Perenara tries a cheeky kick over the top for Ben Smith to chase but France pat it bac their way. Doumayrou almost goes through on the inside but is ankle-tapped. French players linking up well but Fifita does well to get up over the ball and win the penalty.
2 MINUTES LATER: Luke Whitelock wins the lineout for Crotty to have a charge up the middle over halfway. France are on him quickly though and it's the captain, Bastareaud who forces the penalty.
2 MINUTES LATER: Bastareaud gets rid of Luke Whitelock before finally being brought down. Gourdon has a crack and Perenara's shown the yellow card! He had no rights to the ball according to the ref.
2 MINUTES LATER: Bastareaud is proving a right handful, bumping off McKenzie! France just five metres out but they knock on! They've had a look at Belleau's tackle on Whitelock upstairs and he's penalised.
2 MINUTES LATER: McKenzie tries the bomb and Ben Smith does brilliantly to get up and get it! They change direction to Ioane, he puts the foot down and is in space down the left! He steps on but his attempted offload is called forward.
2 MINUTES LATER: Medard fends Ben Smith and he's away down the left wing! He puts the grubber through for his support to chase but Ioane wins the race before Crotty clears down field.
2 MINUTES LATER: France force the turnover at the lineout and the replacement hooker, Bougarit breaks clear! He's finally dragged down by Ben Smith, but reaches out and touches down for the try. They're asking the TMO and they rule double movement. Harshly done by there. They can't buy a try.
2 MINUTES LATER: Harris' throw is poor and Bastareaud fends off Crotty and he takes the French inside the NZ 22m. Bougaritis penalised for having two cracks after he was tackled and McKenzie takes the quick tap only for Crotty to knock on out wide.
2 MINUTES LATER: ABs demolish the French scrum but they clear it just in time. But play ends as they knock on NZ's 10m. Tu'ungafasi puts the head down but knocks on for France to counter before Harris is penalised for not releasing.
2 MINUTES LATER: Savea's on his feet, all over the ball at the breakdown and he wins the penalty for the ABs. He's been good since coming on. ABs will have the lineout just inside the French half.
2 MINUTES LATER: France penalised for not releasing and Perenara takes the quick tap and he's in space! He's finally tackled inside the 22m but a poor pass sees the French turn it over before clearing.
2 MINUTES LATER, FRANCE TRY - GOMES SA: Serin offloads off the deck to Gourdon and he's away! He draws in the final defender, gives it to Gomes Sa and he goes over for the try. They've put in a gutsy effort here tonight.
FULL-TIME, ALL BLACKS 26 - 13 FRANCE: Well, not the performance or test anyone of us were expecting. France showed great fight, but New Zealand were poor. They never looked like losing, but were sloppy and just didn't put out the type of footy we've become so used to. Nonetheless, they've wrapped up the series with the win tonight! Thanks for joining us.
And the Crusaders have beaten the French Barbarians in convincing fashion in Christchurch then Ireland kept their test series alive with a 5 point win against Australia in Melbourne but bad news for the Eddie Jones coached England, their hopes of winning the test series is over as the dominant Springboks take the victory in Bloemfontein while Wales win the test series against Argentina in Santa Fe with Ross Moriarty red carded just before the Welsh conceded a try right on fulltime and in the Pacific Nations Cup such as Fiji clinching the title, beating Georgia as well as Tonga win by 10 points against Samoa.
And finally in FIFA World Cup news, Uruguay & Iran open their account in Groups A & B by taking victories against Egypt & Morocco in Ekaterinburg & St Petersburg respectively with both matches ending in 1 - 0 scorelines while Cristiano Ronaldo got a hat-trick of goals for his country Portugal against Spain which ended in a 3 - 3 draw in their Group B encounter in Sochi then France down Australia 2 - 1 with a match winning goal against Paul Pogba (It was an own goal in fact) after both penalties were scored by Antoine Griezmann for France & captain Mile Jedinak for the Socceroos in Group C over in Kazan before Argentina had a 1 - 1 draw (With goals scored by Sergio Aguero for Argentina before Iceland's Alfred Finnbogason came up with an equalizer) against newcomers Iceland (With one of the Icelandic goalkeepers who had to save Lionel Messi's penalty shot) in Group D over in Moscow at Spartak Stadium then Denmark recorded a 1 - 0 victory in Group C against Peru in Saransk before Croatia scored 2 goals against Nigeria in a comfortable win in Group D over in Kalinigrad then Serbia ended up winning against Costa Rica in Group E over in Samara before Mexico stun the world champions Germany 1 - 0 in a Group F encounter with Hirving Lozano being able to capitalize by scoring an all important goal to take the victory at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow followed by Brazil who miss out on a win in Group E against Switzerland as the match ended in a draw in Rostov-On-Don.
So that is my 208th blog of the year 2018 (MMXVIII) & my 28th of this year.
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