Wales had defied losing several key players to reach the semi-final, but against a formidable All Blacks side they were exposed badly.
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Ireland don’t play until tomorrow but their fans could be heard at the match between France and New Zealand today.
While everyone may reflect to the 2007 meeting between the two sides, you can’t look past the 2011 World Cup final, France gave the hosts their black jerseys but also chose to not just stand idly by whilst the All Blacks publicly challenged them.
SKIPPER Richie McCaw is back from injury to lead one of the most experienced All Blacks teams in World Cup history into tomorrow morning’s quarter-final clash with France at the Millennium Stadium.
“After such a defeat and the powerlessness and impotence we felt for most of the game, there’s not much more to say”.
“When the result is like this you have nothing to say and just congratulate New Zealand”.
New Zealand’s Dan Carter converts a try during the Rugby World Cup 2015 quarter-final on Saturday night against France. “I have had a lot of blows over the last four years”.
He could afford to laugh it off. Their hero from Saturday’s nailbiting win over Wales Fourie du Preez was among the try scorers but it was another of their present squad Bryan Habana who took the eye scoring two tries including a stunning individual effort chipping ahead and, despite being obstructed, collected the ball and touched down.
Winger Savea’s triple took his tally to eight for the tournament and there was a brace for reserve Tawera Kerr-Barlow, with further tries from Nehe Milner-Skudder, lock Brodie Retallick, blindside flanker Jerome Kaino and number eight Kieran Read.
An exchange of penalty goals preceded the Retallick try, and French flyhalf Frederic Michalak limped off, giving recalled scrumhalf Morgan Parra the kicking duties.
“I was eager to get to the try-line no matter what, it’s about being hungry to get there no matter the obstacles”.
France then gained a glimmer of hope with their first try, with Louis Picamoles powering over after an overthrown lineout to reduce the deficit to 11 points.
With more than half an hour remaining, we were merely in the business of keeping count: nine tries tries in all and a couple of points shy of a record drubbing for a fixture that used to provide a few riveting contests. Savea finished in the left corner and Carter added the extras to make it 24-6.
With three tries in a blockbusting display that had the comparisons with the great Jonah Lomu coming in thick and fast, Julian Savea was always going to feature heavily in the celebrations.
France started the second half with renewed vigour but they were reduced to 14 men within seven minutes when Picamoles was yellow carded for shoving his fist into the face of McCaw.
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Saint-Andre called the All Blacks “the Brazilians of rugby” due to their sublime skills.
