With the All Blacks overcoming
their first real hurdle in the 2011 World Cup, New Zealand papers are full of
praise for the team in the aftermath of a 37-17 win over France.
After much talk of the 2007
World Cup meeting between the two sides being forgotten, when France condemned the
All Blacks to their earliest ever exit at the quarter-final stage, the papers
are jam-packed of talk of revenge and a job well done.
"French fried" screams the back
page of the New Zealand Herald,
while the front page has the equally evocative "French toast and the icing on
the cake".
"Having had four years to stew
over things the All Blacks exacted a clinical and soul cleansing revenge at
Eden Park last night. France were poked in the eye, jabbed with a stick then
clubbed viciously with an array of weaponry they had no means to defend
themselves against." - Gregor Paul, New Zealand Herald.
"All Blacks need a tougher time"
"Despite the insistence that
they don't care, the All Blacks will be hoping Argentina beat Scotland and secure
a quarter-final berth. It has become apparent that this World Cup is going to
be won by the team that can sustain their intensity at the collisions; squeeze
opponents in the scrum and give nothing away on defence" - Gregor Paul, New
Zealand Herald.
"Composure indicates team is
nearly on song.
"What a solid performance right
across the park from the All Blacks -and it was even better than that until
they gave away that intercept try and referee Alain Rolland had that little
brain explosion which saw him allow a try while he was talking to both teams." -
Richard Loe, New Zealand Herald.
"I have to say I was a happy
hooker last night. The French started strongly, the All Blacks weathered the
storm and then exploited the French deficiencies. The scrum was good, the
lineout was good and they had three opportunities in the first half and took
them all. It was like the Tri-Nations - they pressed the boot down on the
throat and kept it there." - Former All Black Sean Fitzpatrick, New Zealand
Herald.
"All Blacks hand France the
World Cup blues"
" In the end France had no
answer to the black wave that engulfed them. The All Blacks 37-17 win was as
impressive as it was complete as they unleashed four years of pent up
frustration to put their World Cup rivals on notice. "This is our
house," might have been the sentiment of the hosts after turning their
Auckland's fortress into a playground for backs like Israel Dagg, Cory Jane and
Sonny Bill Williams." - Toby Robson, stuff.co.nz
"The All Blacks have taken a
step towards exorcising the demons of Cardiff with a comprehensive 37-17 win
over France at Eden Park tonight. Ever since France were responsible for the
All Blacks' shock departure from the 2007 World Cup, New Zealand fans have
waited for their chance to exact revenge. They certainly got it tonight as the
All Blacks ran in five tries to two in front of a packed crowd to virtually
secure their spot at the top of Pool A and cement their tag as tournament
favourites." - tvnz.co.nz
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