Scott Robertson was determined to credit the mentality of an inexperienced France team after they pushed New Zealand close in the first Test in Dunedin.

The All Blacks were pushed to their limits in a 31-27 victory at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday, with Will Jordan going over twice for Robertson's team while Tupou Vaa'i and Jordie Barrett added a try apiece.

The hosts had been expected to ease to victory after France named 20 uncapped players in their touring squad, with several stars – including halfback Antoine Dupont – missing.

New Zealand had to survive a late France onslaught to record their 500th Test victory, becoming the first nation to reach that milestone, but Robertson focused on the positives.

"Look, it's a test. It's the first test. They never give up," he told reporters. "The French, they've got a great mentality. If you watch any of their games in the last three, four or five years, they're always in it.

"They won't go away, they're big men, they've got a lot of depth. Everyone has written them off, there are no expectations. That's when they are really dangerous."

The All Blacks had three tries disallowed by the television match official, keeping France – who had won their three previous matches against New Zealand – in contention.

"We couldn't quite get away," Robertson said. "The first 20 minutes, they were good, they were exceptional, put a lot of pressure on us, we didn't win any air battles.

"Felt like we created a lot and we finished a bit as well. They frustrated us at the breakdown a little bit, got some timely hunts on the ball that stopped our momentum.

"I think 31 points is not a bad display for our attack. Perhaps 27 is too much for our defence."

The three-match series continues next week with the second Test taking place in Wellington, before Hamilton plays host to the final encounter on July 19.

The All Blacks suffered a couple of fitness scares as Vaa'i went off with a shoulder injury, while captain Scott Barrett limped off with a sore Achilles, but Robertson eased fears over the duo's fitness.

He said: "The medical team was going pretty quickly in my ear. We tried to keep them on as long as we possibly could."