France aren't getting carried away but admit Sunday's emphatic victory over the All Blacks is a significant confidence boost ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The French produced an inspired performance – arguably their best against New Zealand, or any opponent, in years – to achieve an historic 40-25win in front of a feverish 78,000 crowd in Paris.
The result was thoroughly deserved, as Les Bleus were dominant for much of the match, powerful in the collisions, solid in the set piece and inventive with the ball.
After trailing 24-6 at halftime, the All Blacks showed spirit to close the deficit to 27-25 on the hour mark, before the home side produced another flourish to seal the match.
It was their first win over the All Blacks since 2009, snapping a 14-game losing streak, and the first time they have beaten New Zealand in the French capital since 1973.
Perhaps most importantly, it was a vital fillip ahead of their home World Cup in two years, where they will face the All Blacks in the opening game.
"We like to talk about our journey to the World Cup," said French lock Paul Willemse.
"We've shown a lot of good rugby in our first two years but we as a team wanted to show that this is our next step, our next evolution as a team, how we play together, and we are gaining experience and growing together. [Sunday] was a showcase of all the work we have done over the last two years."
After reaching the 2011 World Cup final in Auckland, France have failed to progress beyond the quarter-final stage in the last two quadrennial tournaments.
They were thumped 62-13 by the All Blacks in the last-eight match in 2015, then edged 20-19 by Wales in 2019. But Sunday's display illustrated their potential, with a young team who are only going to improve.
"We just want to make sure that other nations understand that France will be tough to beat on home soil...that's it," said current team manager and former captain Raphael Ibanez.
Ibanez was particularly impressed with first five Romain Ntamack, who thrived off the back of a bruising forward effort.
Romain Ntamack celebrates his try during the win over the All Blacks. Photo / Getty
The 22-year-old kicked and organised superbly, scored an impressive first-half try and provided the moment of the match midway through the second half with a daring escape from behind his own line, with the audacious counter attack leading to a French penalty and Ardie Savea's yellow card.
"He was a true leader for our backs," said Ibanez. "He controlled the game really well and he seized the opportunities as well; this is what we expect from the players.
"We work really hard within the coaching staff to make sure the players can express themselves and show what they are made of. This is what they showed [on Sunday] so I would say it is very promising for the future."
It's been mostly misery for France against the All Blacks in recent times, with some heavy defeats (30-0, 2013; 62-13, 2015; 38-18, 2017; 52-11 and 49-14, 2018) during their long losing streak.
But only six of the 23-man French squad for Sunday's game had experienced facing the All Blacks, helping them cast off the burdens of past failures with a fearless approach.
"It was a wonderful night," said No 8 Gregory Alldritt. "For lots of us it was our first game against the All Blacks. It was a kind of dream for us and we just gave everything we had and in front of a crowd like [that] was awesome."
He admitted it would build belief ahead of 2023, though they needed to stay focused.
"Of course [it will]," said Alldritt. "But the World Cup is in two years and I am sure it will not be the same New Zealand team and we will not be the same team as well. We need to keep improving, keep working."
