Richie McCaw and co will be ready for a stern challenge next weekend. Photo / Brett Phibbs
It doesn't get better than this but coaches will be wary of Springboks.
Brilliant. An All Black performance to match their reputation and one to rank with their best in World Cups after mixed offerings in pool play.
Dismantling France was up there with the quality of their semifinal against the Wallabies in 2011 when they scorched the invaders 20-6 and provoked forecasts about a stroll to victory in the tournament conclusion. We all know what a struggle that was.
This time the All Blacks kicked up several levels to crush France 62-13 and reinforce, if anyone was in any doubt, why they are favourites to retain their title.
Such rampant form brings some tasty issues for the coaching group.
It's nothing unusual for head coach Steve Hansen and his crew but this is the World Cup, the summit of their targets and there are two more tests to win to collect their places in history.
The All Blacks under Hansen's guidance have delivered many high-grade performances in their 52 tests, suffering a mere three defeats and three draws.
It's a performance chart which points towards success at this World Cup but no more. It's a sign, a measure, an indication.
Same with their demolition of France in Cardiff.
Let's remember France have been half-baked throughout Philippe Saint-Andre's coaching term and that recipe continued as the All Blacks lifted their levels.
It was a glorious day for the All Blacks and a delight for the 71,619 crowd who invaded the Millennium Stadium and saw rugby which seldom appears in the playoffs.
The All Blacks made good on assertions from their headquarters that they were ready to produce rugby which had been missing from their pool game repertoire. They were bloody-minded as they nailed nine tries, they stayed in formation as victory became inevitable.
The ledger will be bulging with marks in the positive categories like the rejuvenation of Julian Savea but there are enough issues for the coaches to keep the group grounded for the stalemate start to their semifinal against the Springboks.
The All Blacks were allowed to put their mark on the game with a freedom which will not be dispensed by the Springboks who were locked in an arm-wrestle with Wales and battled to wriggle free of their defensive clamp.
That side of the All Blacks did not get a relentless grilling but their all-round game sent a roasting beware message to their traditional rivals ahead of the Twickenham semi.
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