As a run-on Test rugby debut for the All Blacks, it was one to forget.

Cory Jane still has a feeling of helplessness from that Dunedin night five months ago, but it is almost extinguished.

The same could be said for several of his stunned teammates as they watched a fired-up, physical French side outplay them to a 27-22 victory, which now forms part of their motivation for Sunday's (AEDT) Test at Stade Velodrome.

Jane, expected to return to the No.14 jersey in place of rising star Zac Guildford, has undergone an impressive rugby transformation since.

As he readies for his 12th Test, the Upper Hutt product says the Carisbrook chaos made him the player he is now - rated on Sunday by attack coach Steve Hansen as "probably our most outstanding wing".

"When I came in when we played France I was new to the wing in internationals, I wasn't really getting involved, I was just doing the basics," Jane said.

"Now I'm a bit more comfortable so I'm looking to enjoy it a bit more and not be so worried like I was earlier in the year. I've calmed down and relaxed."

The 25-year-old now feels as comfortable in an All Blacks jersey as his own skin.

And he's not scared to admonish his teammates. After the Tokyo Bledisloe Cup Test he labelled 42-Test winger Sitiveni Sivivatu a "silly kid" for his dangerous tackle on Adam Ashley-Cooper which saw him sinbinned and cost them a try in his absence.

Talking the talk is fine if you perform, which Jane did in the latter part of the Tri-Nations then against the Wallabies, Wales and Italy on the current tour.

Jane said the All Blacks were hell bent on maintaining their world No.1 ranking, ending their five-Test tour unbeaten and keeping their proud record of not having conceded a try in their past seven northern hemisphere Tests.

"It's a big one. We came over here with a goal to win all the Tests and become No.1 in the world again. We haven't let in a try. To come over here and fall apart and lose would be pretty gutting. We'll be looking to perform well and get a good win because it's been a long tour.

"They came to New Zealand and it was 1-1 so it's going to be a big game, we're at their crib now."

The All Blacks have won their last three tests against France on French soil: 47-3 and 27-11 in 2006 and 45-6 in Paris in 2004 in a standout Test performance.

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