A SUPERB performance by New Zealand against France in Cardiff last night sent out a message that the All Blacks are in top form as they bid to become the first country to lift back-to-back World Cups with a 62-13 win.
New Zealand were brilliant from the start, scoring nine tries. Had Ma’a Nonu not grassed the ball with the tryline beckoning with a minute to go it would have been his team’s biggest win over France. New Zealand will meet South Africa in Saturday’s semi-final after the Springboks beat Wales 23-19 thanks to a late Fourie du Preez try.
The French cut a sorry team on the final whistle, having suffered the heaviest defeat in a quarter-final. Only 10 France players from the 31-man squad walked around the field to acknowledge their fans who booed departing coach Philippe Saint-Andre.
It was a day of mixed fortunes for Ireland and Scotland. The Irish lost Johnny Sexton to injury, 24 hours after he had been named in the starting XV for today’s clash with Argentina. Scotland received a boost when their appeal against the suspensions of Ross Ford and Jonny Gray was upheld. Both can play against Australia today