Deja vu. Two years on from the result they said was a freak, the All Blacks have administered another mother of all hidings for the French with a record-breaking 47-3 victory in Lyon that will have the watching rugby world shaking its head in disbelief.
Two years ago they said it was a freak result in Paris as the All Blacks dismantled the French 45-6. Well, lightning struck twice as Graham Henry's men returned to the scene of next year's World Cup and delivered a performance every bit as emphatic as that 2004 masterclass.
The All Blacks scored seven tries without reply - three in the first half, four in the second - and mixed a commanding set-piece display with a sumptuous attacking one as they made the world's No 2 ranked team look, well, second-rate.
It was a quite brilliant performance from the New Zealanders, possibly their best under Graham Henry, as they served notice in this Armistice Day rout that they must now be considered the hottest of favourites for next year's World Cup.
But never mind that, this fabulous test performance should be appreciated for what it means right now. And that is that this All Blacks side sits head and shoulders above their rivals in the rugby world, playing a brand of football that's exhilarating to watch and exacting in the toll it takes on the opposition.
Remarkably, this was a team that featured 10 changes from the lineup that put a record hurt on England last week, but performed at an even higher level, demonstrating vividly the depth in class that Henry has at his disposal as the Dave Gallaher Memorial Trophy was tucked away for another year.
Ali Williams had a blinder for the All Blacks, the skilful lock turning on a wonderful all-round display, but all of his mates up front did their job splendidly, the loose trio dominant, the front row punishing and the defence all round absolutely first rate.
The sublime Sitiveni Sivivatu was back to his best and probably the pick of a razor sharp backline with two tries to take his tally to 11 in 10 test matches. But it was a night when every single All Black contributed mightily to a match that should have four million New Zealanders smiling brilliantly as their Sunday unfolds.
There was a familiar look about the first 40, with the All Blacks leading 23-3 and the French seemingly out for the count inside the opening stanza.
Two years ago in Paris, when the New Zealanders famously dismantled the French by that then record margin, it had been even less emphatic, with the halftime advantage only 19-6.
But after a superb first 40 at Lyon's Stade de Gerland, Graham Henry's men took a 23-3 lead into the sheds, scoring three tries without reply and all but demolishing the French in the process.
The New Zealanders' scrum was wonderful, their first and third tries coming on the back of huge shunts against the struggling French unit on their put-in, the lineout was rock-solid and around the paddock the All Blacks looked far the more dangerous side with ball in hand. As ever, off the counter-attack Richie McCaw and his men were deadly.
Wing Sivivatu, who enjoyed a wonderful first 40, had the opening score after a half-dozen minutes, not long after his forwards had demolished their opposites in the opening scrum and forced the turnover. After a couple of hitups from the black forwards, ball was moved left and Sivivatu showed magical footwork to beat Aurelien Rougerie and then good speed to leave flanker Julien Bonnaire flapping at air.
Exert Pressure
It was another half-hour before the All Blacks doubled their try tally and during that time the French had moments, usually off the drive from lineout ball, when they were able to exert pressure on their visitors.
But in a three-minute spell before the break the New Zealanders struck twice to have the French reeling, and all but out for the count.
Skipper McCaw, sublime through the opening skirmishes, had the first when he was able to drive over on the blindside after Ali Williams had snaffled the second of two lineout steals for the half.
And just before the break Daniel Carter was across to make it 23-3, the All Blacks demolishing a French defensive scrum, McCaw taking it to the setup and when Piri Weepu went blind the home team's defence was as absent as its scrum resistance.
It looked horrible for the French who were in some sort of disarray. Their scrum was being taken apart, their lineout being picked apart and their tactic of continuing to test the All Blacks with high kicks was questionable at best.
Suspicions were confirmed upon the resumption, with the All Blacks striking twice inside the third quarter to administer the final rites on the staggering French corpse.
Conrad Smith had the opening touchdown, extending the lead to 30-3, when he dashed 70m to punish the French for spilt ball. Lock Williams, who had an outstanding test, did well to snaffle the loose ball and slip a delightful pass for Smith who looked up and saw daylight.
And before the end for the third quarter Joe Rokocoko was in on the act for the All Blacks' fifth try, and a 37-3 lead. With the French lineout in disarray, McAlister sliced through a broken defensive line and as he made an angled run to the line the second five was able to slip a backhand pass to put Rokocoko over.
The French pressed hard for a consolation score as the match wound down, but the New Zealanders were determined to keep them tryless, which they achieved with aplomb.
And still the tries kept coming for the Kiwis. Sivivatu had his brace eight minutes from the end with a classical finish from ball turned over by the French and Luke McAlister completed the rout near the end with the finishing touch to a devastating break by Byron Kelleher and Sivivatu.
And that, folks, was that. The Armistice Day slaughter was complete and the rest of the rugby world can only shake their heads in awe at the most emphatic performance of 2006. France have seven days to achieve a miraculous turnaround for the rematch in Paris.
France 3: Florian Fritz dg.
New Zealand 47: Sitiveni Sivivatu 2, Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter, Conrad Smith, Joe Rokocoko, Luke McAlister tries; Carter 2 pen 3 con.
HT: 3-23.
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