All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is praising his side's efforts in their record-breaking Rugby World Cup quarter-final win over France in Cardiff.
The All Blacks coach Steve Hansen. Rugby World Cup 2015. Photo: Getty Images
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The defending world champions scored more points in the 62-13 demolition than any team has ever scored against France in a Test match to well and truly get revenge for their shock loss at the same venue eight years ago.
Hansen had said his side hadn't shown their complete game plan in the pool play, keeping it behind closed doors, but it was on full display at Millennium Stadium as a ruthless All Blacks outfit ran in nine tries.
"It was a pretty special performance," Hansen told reporters after the match.
"When you come to the World Cup you come with a plan and it's been questioned by a few people, but the key people who didn't question it are the ones in the group."
All Blacks celebrate a try against France RWC2015. Photo: Getty Images
Julian Savea was back to his best form in the match, scoring a hat-trick in a man of the match performance, with one of his tries a candidate for try of the tournament. However he was well supported with vintage performances from a number of players.
The execution problems that had plagued the side's previous performances looked to have been solved with the error rate well down.
However Hansen is acutely aware that the job is not done and wants his side to get back into their work with the same intensity in the build up for next weekend's semi-final against South Africa at Twickenham.
The skipper, Richie McCaw, reiterated his coach's sentiments after the match.
"All we've done today is earned a chance to play in a semi-final," he said.
"We're happy with what happened tonight but come Monday we have to come back and start again."
The All Blacks have a couple of injury concerns for next week's match, with loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett coming off early with a groin complaint, while the wing, Nehe Milner-Skudder, suffered a knock to the shoulder.
Hansen said they did not yet know the extent of the injuries and expect to know more tomorrow.