Rugby-New Zealand outclass France 39-12 to cap European tour

MARSEILLE, France, Nov 28 (Reuters) - New Zealand outclassed France 39-12 with an impressive mix of power and skill to end a successful European tour in spectacular fashion on Saturday.

The All Blacks, who beat Wales, Italy and England in their previous outings, ran in five tries on Marseille's Velodrome pitch and superb flyhalf Dan Carter did the rest by kicking 14 points.

France, who had posted wins over world champions South Africa and Samoa, could not match a ruthless display by the visitors and had to be content with three penalties from scrumhalf Julien Dupuy and a drop goal by flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc.

While the Springboks slumped to defeats by France and Ireland, New Zealand used their autumn tests to strongly suggest they were back on top of the rugby world and will leave full of confidence to prepare for next year's World Cup on home soil.

(Reporting by Jean-Paul Couret, writing by Patrick Vignal in Paris, editing by Ken Ferris)

((patrick.vignal@thomsonreuters.com; +33 1 49 49 53 70; Reuters Messaging: patrick.vignal.reuters.com@reuters.net. For Reuters sports blog Left Field go to: blogs.reuters.com/sport/)

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