France fly-half Frédéric Michalak admitted that Samoa gave his team the biggest test of their November series in Paris on Saturday.
Les Bleus completed a November treble by beating the Samoans 22-14 in a bruising battle at the Stade de France.
On paper Samoa looked the easiest match, but France easily saw off Australia and Argentina, and were behind in the second half against the ferocious south sea islanders.
But Michalak kept his head to kick the hosts to a victory which consolidates fourth place in the IRB rankings ahead of the 2015 World Cup draw.
Samoa's power troubled France throughout the match with David Lemi and Joe Tekori scoring tries, both of which were converted by Tusi Pisi.
"We knew it would be hard, they shook us pretty hard and dominated in the scrum and on the line-outs," Michalak told French TV channel France 2.
"They are quite unpredictable but we knew they'd crack towards the end."
Coach Phillipe Saint-Andre added: "Mission accomplished. We had the objective of winning three matches and we have done it. It was a victory for courage and unity."
Comments
Centre12 says...
It really does make you wonder whether factors like the EPS (England) & Intense Training in Poland (Wales) are really that beneficial when a team like Samoa get together for 2 weeks before a set of internationals and push and beat some of the 6N sides, for all the preperation and technology that goes into the England set up in comparison to other teams, I really can see the execution or benefits.
Posted 08:01 29th November 2012