It was the zero which meant so much for the All Blacks on Saturday night.
The All Blacks, playing their 500th test, kept the French scoreless for the first time in 53 tests, as they delivered an emphatic victory on a chilly Christchurch night.
They led 10-0 at the break and kept the French attack at bay early in the second half and then swept down the field to score a classy try which broke the back of the visitors.
Lock Sam Whitelock said the side had tremendous faith in its defence, and backed itself to keep the French out.
''This team has a lot of pride and I think our defence shows our pride and where we are at as a team,'' Whitelock said.
''Keeping a side like that out is really hard to do, so to do that is really special.
''A couple of extra days together and having that extra combination keeps guys nice and calm. And that is something that showed more tonight than the first one.''
The All Blacks were all over the French in every facet of the game, running the ball up hard and contesting every breakdown.
Whitelock said the side was keen to get better from last week's rather spluttering first test in Auckland.
''All New Zealand sides love trying to find something they can do better and the All Blacks are no different. We are always looking at ways of improving.''
Improve they certainly did, pulling away in the second half with a couple of mighty tries.
Whitelock is quickly turning into a world-class lock and that was never more obvious than in the way he helped upset the French lineout, where half a dozen throws went wrong for the visitors.
It was not a bad effort from the Crusaders lock, considering he was not supposed to play, as he is recovering from a broken finger.
''The lungs did not feel too bad. Obviously, I have not played for two weeks but I have been training for the second week, pretty intensely.
"As the game went on I grew into it a bit and when it finished I was keen to keep going on.
''It is test rugby. If you are thinking about your own body, then you shouldn't be out there.''
Whitelock simply taped his damaged ring finger up and then never thought about it. He suffered a minor bang on his left elbow during the game.
The big Canterbury lock should be proud of his effort but he would not be the only one in an All Black effort which was a great tribute to a team playing in its 500th test.
The All Blacks scored their first try within five minutes of the kickoff, Ma'a Nonu putting in a chip kick for winger Julian Savea to dot down.
The home team kept up the pressure and nearly scored again when fullback Israel Dagg opted to head for the line with an unmarked Savea outside him.
Turning 10-0 down, the French had a period of sustained attack in the early stages of the second half.
But Sam Cane charged down a Freddie Michalak drop goal attempt, the All Blacks swept down the field and after a nice Savea run, Ben Smith went in under the posts.
That try was topped by substitute Beauden Barrett's first test try near the end.
Rene Ranger made good metres down the left before passing to Conrad Smith, who kicked the ball through, and it was picked up by Aaron Cruden who fed a flying Barrett.
It was a great way to finish a top effort from the men in black.
It would be hard to pick anyone out in an all-round team effort but Nonu was good in everything he did while the tight five was industrious all night.
French fullback Maxime Medard worked hard but left the field at halftime.
All Blacks v France
The scores
All Blacks 30
Julian Savea, Ben Smith, Beauden Barrett tries; Aaron Cruden 3 con, 3 pen
France 0
Halftime: All Blacks 10-0
Crowd: 20,785
