A questionable yellow card to French lock Paul Gabrillagues has allowed New Zealand to score three quick tries in a 52-11 thumping of Les Blues in the first Test at Eden Park.
With the match locked at 11-11 early in Saturday's second half, Gabrillagues was sinbinned by English referee Luke Pearce for a high tackle on Ryan Crotty.
Replays, however, showed the 25-year-old was nowhere near the inside centre's neck or head.
Codie Taylor and Ben Smith scored tries while Gabrillagues was off, and Rieko Ioane added a third just seconds after the lock returned to ease the All Blacks 19 points clear with 20 minutes remaining.
Damian McKenzie, Ngani Laumape and Ardie Savea all scored tries as the All Blacks opened the visitors up in the final quarter to clinch a 12th-successive win over France and continue their 24-year unbeaten run at Eden Park.
"We were behind on the scoreboard and as soon as we drew even, the boys really picked up again and it felt good," All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock said.
"I thought the second half we were a lot better; we capitalised on those opportunities."
Despite the yellow card blowing the game open, the world champions had started to look ominous by dominating possession and territory and it looked like only a matter of time before the French crumbled.
The fact France held an 11-8 halftime lead was testament to their defensive strength, epitomised by their stinging goal-line tackling when the All Blacks hammered away in the final few minutes before the break without success.
Until then, Les Blues had lived on New Zealand mistakes, with Remy Grosso's early try set up after a poor attacking kick had allowed Teddy Thomas to counter and set up field position.
The All Blacks, however, had turned the ball over only for Ben Smith to pass the ball straight to Grosso.
Despite the All Blacks' errors, they looked dangerous with ball in hand. Beauden Barrett's try resulted from some superb interplay with his two brothers.
The five-eighth evened the scores with his second penalty in the 48th minute but, when Gabrillagues was carded three minutes later, the home side cut loose to score seven tries in the second half.
"It was difficult, the All Blacks accelerated after the yellow card and, for us, it was difficult in defence," France captain Mathieu Bastareaud said.
"We didn't talk to each other in defence."
The second Test is next weekend in Wellington with the third on June 23 in Dunedin.
