Emphatic win for All Blacks

10:45 AM

The All Blacks have banished the ghosts of last year's World Cup defeat beating the French 39-26 in this morning's clash at Stade de France in Paris.

The boots of All Black Andrew Mehrtens and French player Christophe Lamaison went virtually one for one in the first half.

Four penalties to the French and five to the All Blacks put New Zealand ahead 15-12 at the half time whistle.

The second half started with another penalty from Mehrtens. A great run from Cristian Cullen set up a try for Doug Howlett moments later.

The French fought back pushing hard on the attack but it was the All Blacks who scored next - Cullen putting this one over the line himself.

New Zealand held off the French barrage until the game's final ten minutes when Philippe Bernat-Salles and Fabian Pelous picked up a try each.

Lamaison converted both but it was too little too late.

Mehrtens had kept storming in between the tries notching up three more penalties which took his total for the game to nine - a new record against the French.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF