KEY POINTS:
There were no weaknesses, murmured Christian Califano about the All Blacks, only a dream that France could upset them at this year's World Cup as they did so famously in 1999.
The top French players were at home but the interchangeable class of the All Blacks was a
colossal hurdle for any opponent. Three months was a decent gap before the World Cup, time for the Tricolores to work hard, build their game and reinforce their rating as the second-best side in the world.
"It is crazy though, some of the All Black skill," said Califano, who has propped 71 tests in his distinguished career.
Technically, the All Blacks had the best scrum while their lineout, defence and skills were massively impressive despite the serious injury disruptions to Keith Robinson and Ali Williams.
The All Blacks certainly ramped up their standards during their record second-test slapping of France, a victory built on a bludgeoning scrum and a more direct approach than they employed at Eden Park. Nine tries is a massive collection against any international side although Canada should suffer a worse humiliation on Saturday.
They are ranked 13th in the world and lost badly to the NZ Maori side in the Churchill Cup. The visitors will do well to stay with the NZ development side of under-21 players the following week.
The big game this weekend is in Dunedin where the Junior All Blacks play Australia A.
But as recharged wing Joe Rokocoko noted, the next test in Hamilton was a mental challenge for the All Blacks.
They had to add to the improvements they made in Wellington.
The All Blacks were too physical for France, the pressure they created through their scrum and rugged defence set up the turnovers which are such a punishing part of the modern game. Some of the intensity which was lacking in Auckland returned, there was an attacking snap from Byron Kelleher, Nick Evans, Luke McAlister and Isaia Toeava to be admired.
Replacement locks Chris Jack and Troy Flavell banged about the field in strong style, showing little sign of the injury dramas while Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and Carl Hayman set the tone in the scrums. They embarrassed the French and allowed Kelleher to disrupt their distribution, run or shift the ball strongly to his backs.
It was a ride the Toulouse-club bound Kelleher lauded before Brendon Leonard came on. His passing is crisp, his running incisive and he just seems to have the knack of making the right decisions.
Same with Evans, who stood in for the damaged Carter, and would be an All Black regular in any other era. He was safe, sharp on the burst while his kicking for territory was prodigious.
A right old tussle is developing in midfield where McAlister, on the say-so of backs coach Wayne Smith, made more linebreaks than anyone and also a telling 10 tackles. He missed five of his 12 goalkicks but knew the remedy was a technical issue with the position of his left shoulder and follow-through.
After Aaron Mauger had his best game in several years at Eden Park, the choice of second five-eighths for the initial Springboks test is warming nicely.
Toeava scored a rattling good try as he powered away from four defenders but he also dropped several passes cold. Against France C it was not costly, they were well beaten. But against France A, the Boks, England, Ireland or the Wallabies, there would not be many opportunities.
They had to be taken but Toeava seems to have repeated problems with his handling.
There was the intriguing look at Sitiveni Sivivatu shifting back to fullback when Leon MacDonald was subbed after an improved performance. It was a pointer to the World Cup option of adding another outside back if the selectors think fullback can be adequately covered.
The quandary is that Mils Muliaina, who should play at fullback this week after hamstring problems, is also the best centre. Maybe there will be another selection twist when the side to play Canada is released on Wednesday.
New Zealand 61
J. Rokocoko 2, A. Oliver, B. Kelleher, L. MacDonald, I. Toeava, J. Collins, K. Mealamu, N. Evans tries; L. McAlister 2 pen, 5 con
France 10
J. Laharrague try; B. Boyet pen, con
Halftime: 30-3
