62 New Zealand
13 France
by David Nicholson
at the Millennium Stadium

THE reigning world champions moved into overdrive in the knock-out stage as they clinically despatched France to set up a semi-final against the Springboks.

The All Blacks racked-up their biggest score against France, and the fourth-biggest score of the current tournament, as they ran in nine tries in a superlative performance of total rugby.

The French challenge lasted just 10 minutes before the New Zealand juggernaut swept them aside for the opening try by forward Brodie Retallick, after he charged down a Freddie Michalak kick.

The Les Bleus playmaker went off with what looked like a damaged hamstring after he struck the errant kick.

There were some brutal collisions in the opening seconds as France desperately defended to keep out a pumped-up New Zealand.

The watching rugby world will have been as shocked at the French capitulation as the brutal tackling and sublime skills of the rampant defending champions.

A shell-shocked Les Bleus coach Philippe Saint-Andre admitted after the match that his side just could not compete with the power, speed and technique of the All Blacks.

“They are the Brazil of the rugby world and won 80 per cent of the game,” Saint-Andre said.

French captain Thierry Dusautoir was even more blunt, saying: “The powerlessness and impotence we felt doesn’t leave much for me to say about about our performance. We just didn’t have enough space in this match to play.”

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said: “That was a pretty special performance and we turned up tonight and showed we had the attitude and talent.”

Man of the match Julian Savea came in for special praise from his coach and captain, with Hansen saying the winger had shown what he was capable of.

“Savea was really sharp in training this week and was really keen to get out on the field against France and show everyone what he can do,” Richie McCaw said.

Savea has scored eight tries at this year’s Rugby World Cup and is now equal with Bryan Habana and Jonah Lomu for the number of tries in one campaign.

He has also scored 38 tries in 39 games, few of them better than his first-half blast taking him past and through Louis Picamoles, Brice Dulin and Rabah Slimani.

No side has yet successfully defended their title and both Hansen and McCaw said that they were only thinking about their next game against South Africa.

But it would be a brave person who backed anyone to beat this team if they continue to play the same way as this weekend.