New Zealand laid to rest the ghosts of 1999 and 2007 as they embarrassed France 62‑13 with a dominant performance in the Rugby World Cup quarters at the Millennium Stadium.
The All Blacks have set up a mouthwatering semi‑final thanks to a hat‑trick from Julian Savea, never giving France a sniff of a third World Cup upset as they claimed the biggest win in World Cup knock‑out history.
The All Blacks turned on a spectacle scoring 9 tries in what was their highest ever score against France.
The All Blacks may have been holding back in pool play, but they certainly let it all out today right from the first whistle.
They scored four first half tries to lead 29‑13 and added another 5 after the break with Julian Savea scoring a hat‑trick to become the joint highest try scorer in a World Cup with 8.
The other tries went to Tawera Kerr‑Barlow with two and one each to Brodie Retallick, Nehe Milner‑Skudder, Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read.
Dan Carter kicked the rest of the points.
Louis Picamoles scored a first half try for France.
All Blacks Captain, Richie McCaw says he is very happy with the team’s performance.
Meanwhile, South Africa advanced to the 2015 Rugby World Cup semi‑finals thanks to a 23‑19 victory over Wales in an intense battle at Twickenham.
Springbok skipper Fourie du Preez scored in the 75th minute to snatch victory in an epic game that could have gone either way.
There was little to separate the sides at the interval as Wales led 13‑12 thanks to a try from scrum‑half Gareth Davies and a drop‑goal on the stroke of half‑time from Dan Biggar.
The All Blacks will play South Africa at 4am next Sunday in the first semi-final.
In tomorrow's quarter-finals, the Wallabies will take on Scotland at 3am while Ireland will play Argentina at 12am.
Source: Radio NewZealand
