The All Blacks did their homework and executed their game plan almost perfectly last night.

Some subtle structural amendments and more time in training were credited with the vast improvement in the All Blacks' defensive effort - the unquestionable area of excellence that allowed them to hold France scoreless for the first time in history.

Images from the All Blacks second test against France at AMI Stadium, June 15 2013.

Lions back-rower Jamie Heaslip is tipping NSW coach Michael Cheika will have the Waratahs pumped up for tonight's showdown with the unbeaten tourists.

French rugby have apparently decided that, if they can't beat the clubs, they'll join them.

Rugby great Brian O'Driscoll has warned his Lions teammates that a series victory in Australia is crucial for the Lions' future.

Former Crusaders winger Sean Maitland, another New Zealand export, wants to achieve two things on the Lions tour of Australia - make the test team and play against his cousin, the controversial Quade Cooper.

Having committed to Samoa, Alapati Leiua now finds himself as an unwitting test case to see if players who aren't eligible for the All Blacks can get a fair deal in New Zealand.

Sir Ian McGeechan is rarely aggressive in his condemnations, but just occasionally, when he feels forced to defend something he cherishes, he can be very sharp indeed.

Warren Gatland is not quite as mobile as he once was. Two dodgy heels, the legacy of a nasty fall in New Zealand last year, have put a brake on the former All Black hooker but he will still leave his peers standing this weekend.

The unbeaten record has gone. The season has ended in stunningly bad fashion with England bursting into astonishing life at Twickenham to beat the All Blacks.

Discipline, or lack of, has become a prevailing theme throughout the autumn tests and of all the statistics to emerge in the past few weeks, writes Gregor Paul.

The English Rugby team are relishing the opportunity to play against the All Blacks and assistant coach Andy Farrell believes the world champions are vulnerable.

Europe is thick with pretenders yet none of the first-fives hoping to steal Dan Carter's crown are likely to usurp the king. Not in the near future anyway.

The New Zealand Rugby Union have confirmed that new sponsor AIG will appear on the All Black jersey, along with the existing adidas logo.

Rugby chiefs have signed a sponsorship deal that could put a new advertising logo on the All Blacks' jerseys and shorts for their end-of-season tour of Britain.