Coach Allan Bunting has no qualms with the costly red card to prop Chryss Viliko during their 18-17 defeat in their WXV1 opener against Wellington.
After a sluggish start, the hosts had fought their way back into the contest at Sky Stadium to close within eight points at the three-quarter mark of the contest.
Just as New Zealand had been awarded a chance to pull within five points with a penalty, the TV official alerted referee Hollie Davidson to Viliko's high shot on French midfielder Gabrielle Vernier during a ruck cleanout and their momentum was stifled.
Despite being shorthanded, the Ferns seemed galvanised by their predicament and proceeded to play their best rugby of the match.
Katelyn Vaha'akolo's late try, courtesy of a pinpoint Ruby Tui grubber, set up a thrilling finish, but the French held on to gain some revenge for last year's World Cup semi-final defeat.
Bunting concedes the red card had a big impact on the match, although completely justified.
"It was a red card," Bunting said. "We were in a pretty good position when it happened and obviously it would be better if we did have 15 players [on the field], but the ladies dug really deep and we came pretty close."
The defeat ended the Black Ferns' 16-game win streak, dating back to last year's Pacific Four tournament and the triumphant World Cup run on home soil, and was their first under their new head coach, who took the reins from Sir Wayne Smith.
Prop Tanya Kalounivale impressed off the bench in the Ferns' late bid to steal victory, but they were ultimately undone by their own unforced errors.
"We were our own worst enemies today," conceded co-captain Kennedy Simon. "It wasn't through a lack of effort.
"The girls really stepped up in that red-card moment. I think we're going to grow from this.
"We've been together in camp for two weeks and I'm really proud of the effort. I think this will only make us stronger."
New Zealand now face a tall order to win the new six-team competition. They'll need to beat both Wales and England in their final two games, and hope either Canada or Australia can upset France.
"We can't control that now," Bunting said. "All we can do is learn and what we're looking at now is Wales... and we'll see what happens after that."
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