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Jacques Brunel has been choosing his words carefully in the build up to Saturday's test at Eden Park.

France coach Jacques Brunel says he's examined how the British and Irish Lions were able to play so well against the All Blacks last year.

The French team face the tough task of being the next team to take on the All Blacks in a three-test series after last year's dramatic tour of New Zealand by the Lions.

The Warren Gatland coached side showed how the All Blacks can be shut down defensively over the series, which they drew 1-1 and Brunel says he's been pouring over the footage of that, as well as the All Blacks' 28-23 win over France late last year.

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Morgan Parra last played a test for France in 2015.

"We looked the Lions tour and the November test to prepare for this series," confirmed Brunel, who became the new French coach ahead of this year's Six Nations.

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And after reviewing all of that did he find any weaknesses in the All Blacks?

"No I don't think so," he shrugged.

"If so, some other team would have found this weakness and have used it."

Brunel spoke to a room full of French media at the team's Auckland hotel on Thursday.

He was grilled for about 30 minutes, firstly responding to each question by turning his palms upwards, secondly shrugging his shoulders, then replying with a lengthy answer.

When it came time to do questions in English through an interpreter, Brunel was far less eloquent, a couple of times saying little more than "Je ne sais pas" (I don't know) to one TV reporter.

Cards close to the chest and all that.

Soon after, when talking the New Zealand written media he did give more of an answer when asked what would make this a successful tour in his eyes?

"[It would be that] If at the end of the tour we've got a squad with a team spirit and on the field we've been able to challenge the All Blacks."

Earlier on Thursday All Blacks coach lauded the French defence, saying statistically it was the best in the world.

He praised the way they rushed up, then held back, luring the opposition into thinking there's space out wide and when they went that way, the French would be ready and waiting.

Brunel is obviously fully aware of the All Blacks' firepower, but suggested Hansen might have overstated how good the French defence is.

"He is exaggerating a bit," Brunel said.

"I hope we're going to have a good defence against the All Blacks on Saturday, because if not we're going to be in trouble."

Meanwhile, Morgan Parra and Maxime Médard are back in the French team for Saturday's test.

Halfback Parra, hasn't played for France since they were defeated 62-13 by the All Blacks in the quarterfinals of the 2015 World Cup, while fullback Medard last played for Les Bleus in 2016, on their tour to Argentina.

Timaru born tighthead prop Uini Atonio has been given the nod to start and will no doubt be cheered on by his family, who live in Mangere, Auckland.

Fabien Sanconnie has won the battle to play at No 8. The experienced Louis Picamoles was forced to miss this tour because of an injury, as is also the case with Marco Tauleigne, who has been suffering with concussion. Kélian Galletier, a No 8 specialist is unavailable for this team because his team, Montpellier played in the Top 14 final last weekend.

Kévin Gourdon and Judicael Cancoriet join Sanconnie in the back row.

France: Maxime Médard, Teddy Thomas, Mathieu Bastareaud (c), Geoffrey Doumayrou, Remy Grosso, Anthony Belleau, Morgan Parra, Fabien Sanconnie, Kelian Gourdon, Judicaël Cancoriet, Yoann Maestri, Paul Gabrillagues, Uini Atonio, Camille Chat, Dany Priso. Replacements: Adrien Pélissié, Cyril Baille, Rabah Slimani, Bernard Le Roux, Alexandre Lapandry, Baptiste Serin, Jules Plisson, Gael Fickou.

 - Stuff