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Too old, too slow, out of sorts and struggling to find fifth gear. Those were just some of the accusations thrown at New Zealand during the World Cup pool stages. Yet the All Blacks banished the critics with a record-breaking 62-13 win over a hapless France on Saturday night.
They were too quick and too experienced for France, blowing them off the field with apparent ease. It was a new level of dominance, and will firmly deliver the favourites tag back to Steve Hansen’s men.
Dan Carter in particular answered the sceptics, kicking seven conversions and producing a series of short kick-offs that allowed the All Blacks to pile constant pressure on France.
While the Wallabies had been credited with the best defensive (Wales) and attacking (England) performances in this World Cup, and thus handed the favourites tag, the All Blacks quickly trumped at least the latter unofficial title.
New Zealand started intensely, winning possession off the kick-off and almost immediately winning a penalty for Carter to convert from 40 metres.
Scott Spedding returned fire for France with an astonishing 55-metre effort, before Brodie Retallick charged down Frederic Michalak’s attempted kick and crossed for the game’s first five-pointer in the 11th minute.
Carter converted to hand the All Blacks an early 10-3 lead, and France were delivered a further blow as Michalak was forced off with a hamstring problem.
Morgan Parra converted and missed two successive penalties for the French as the All Blacks suffered a briefly sloppy period of play. Yet they soon switched back on to cross for their second try.
Carter had an attempted drop-goal charged down before New Zealand produced a brilliant passage of play, spreading the ball quickly to Nehe Milner-Skudder.
The inexperienced winger looked like he was going nowhere when a filthy step sent him speeding towards the line. The All Blacks’ play was scintillating, but it was that piece of individual magic that opened up the way to victory.
Carter converted to take the scores to 17-6 and was then involved in the try action himself just minutes later.
Following quick ball from right to left, Carter stuck out a strong-armed fend and produced a classy offload for Julian Savea to run free across the line. Another conversion from the sideline and it was 24-6.
The French front five were getting run ragged, the All Blacks switching play effortlessly, moving the French pack all across the field.
The first scrum of the game arrived in the 33rd minute, and France used it to launch their own assault. It was their first chance to play with the ball in-hand and they built a patient attack, closing in on the All Blacks’ try-line.
A loose pass went straight through Bernard Le Roux’s hands, but Louis Picamoles gathered and pushed himself over the line for five points. Morgan Parra converted and at 24-13 it looked like game on at the 36th minute mark.
Yet the All Blacks did not give France a sniff for the rest of the half, their kicking repertoire again putting France under pressure.
Ben Smith took a long bomb brilliantly and New Zealand quickly spread the ball through Retallick to Savea, who bulldozed his way across for his second try, doing his best Jonah Lomu impression by knocking off Noa Nakaitaci and Spedding with ease.
Savea knocking three players out of the way as if they weren't even there. Jonah Lomu eat your heart out. Spedding again diabolical #RWC2015
— Sean Defoe (@SeanDefoe) October 17, 2015
The scores finished 29-13 at half-time, and the All Blacks had to make a few minor tweaks for the second half, with both Milner-Skudder and Wyatt Crockett forced off with shoulder and groin injuries respectively.
Yet it only got worse for France six minutes after the break, Picamoles correctly sent to the bin for a fist into the face of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw as he was lying on the floor.
New Zealand took advantage, again teasing the French and dragging them around the field like ragged dolls. Switching from sideline to sideline, Jerome Kaino eventually crossed as the French defence was left grasping at air.
France had a good spell of possession when Picamoles came back onto the field but they lacked any imagination in attack, sending one-up ball in predictable plays. Nevertheless, the All Blacks defence was solid, not giving France any time to build serious pressure.
Following a loose ball, Savea crossed for his third of the night – his 38th in 39 Tests – overtaking the great Lomu’s try tally in the process, and further tries to Kieran Read and Tawera Kerr-Barlow (twice) brought the final tally to 62-13.
The All Blacks were ruthless, their decision-making flawless, and the speed of their attacks was dazzling. The 49-point victory was the type of performance everyone knew the All Blacks could produce, but had seemingly forgotten after the pool stages.
It also eclipsed South Africa’s previous World Cup quarter-final 42-14 record win over Samoa in 1995.
As well as Savea’s exploits, the old guard of Carter (33), Ma’a Nonu (33) and McCaw (34) were standouts, showing that age is no obstacle for this team.
New Zealand are now firmly favourites again for the World Cup title, that is until the Wallabies play Scotland on Sunday evening. The ghosts of past failure in the northern hemisphere have been partially vanquished, as have the memories of that fateful night in 2007 when France knocked them out of the World Cup.
The humbleness prevalent in this squad was on show once again as well, with McCaw saying post-match: “We’re happy but all we’ve done is earned another week. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves.”
You could say that no one will remember the All Blacks’ supposedly lacklustre pool stage if they make the final, yet it has arguably set them up for a memorable campaign.
Hansen’s measured approach has paid off, and any suggestions New Zealand had forgotten how to hit top gear are now void. South Africa are next in the semi-finals, and based on this performance the Springboks have much to fear.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.