New Zealand inflicted the heaviest defeat suffered by France in more than a century of international rugby when they strolled to a 61-10 win early this morning.
Inspired by a dominant forward display, the All Blacks followed up last week's 42-11 win in Auckland with a ruthless nine-try demolition to eclipse their 54-7 win over the French in 1999, which was the Tricolors' previous highest defeat.
Wing Joe Rokocoko scored two tries while hooker Anton Oliver, scrumhalf Byron Kelleher, fullback Leon MacDonald, centre Isaia Toeava, flanker Jerry Collins, replacement Keven Mealamu and flyhalf Nick Evans all crossed once each for New Zealand.
Wing Julien Laharrague scored a consolation try for the French, who paid an embarrassing price for arriving in New Zealand without most of their top players.
After France took an early 3-0 lead on a Benjamin Boyet penalty, New Zealand's first score came in the 11th minute when Oliver was awarded a try after grounding the ball against the post following a period of sustained pressure.
Luke McAlister added a pair of penalties before two more tries within a three-minute span around the half hour mark allowed the All Blacks to open a commanding 25-3 lead.
First Kelleher barged over the line with three defenders hanging on, then an intercept saw Rokocoko run 50 metres down the right-hand touchline.
Rokocoko scored his second two minutes before the interval, to give New Zealand a 30-3 halftime advantage.
New Zealand continued to dominate after the break and opened the second-half scoring in the 45th minute, with MacDonald capping off a backline move that began inside his own half.
France scored their only try after a New Zealand turnover saw the visitors sweep the length of the field for Laharrague to score.
Toeva, Collins and Mealamu then all added tries for the All Blacks before Nick Evans touched down following another backline move on the stroke of full time.
The only downside to the thumping victory came when Ali Williams was taken to hospital with a suspected broken jaw after attempting to tackle France number eight Sebastien Chabal.
