All Blacks captain Richie McCaw believes their 62-13 thrashing of France in their World Cup quarter-final should put an end to the heartache that has lingered in New Zealand for the past eight years.
“I much prefer sitting here now than back then,” a relieved McCaw said after leading his side to a nine-try blitz over France at Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
McCaw was also skipper in 2007 when the All Blacks were upset by France 20-18. An anxious New Zealand public has been waiting ever since to exact revenge.
It came in style as the All Blacks raced to a 29-13 lead over France by half-time and added 33 unanswered points in the second half.
There was no chance the class of 2015 was going to be caught napping again in the same stadiums.
“It was hugely disappointing that day but it’s shaped what we’ve done for eight years since,” McCaw said, crediting the lessons learned from defeat for the polished All Blacks performance.
“Four years ago taught some lessons as well,” he said of the 2011 World Cup final when the All Blacks beat France 8-7.
“You use those experiences with a bunch of guys who are keen as hell and excited about playing a quarter-final at a World Cup.
“That’s what today was about. I really didn’t think much about eight years ago except I knew the lesson was if we didn’t front up we were going home. It was disappointing eight years ago and we made sure it didn’t happen today.
The All Blacks now move on to play South Africa in the semi-finals and McCaw said they would treat that game as a grand final and were not looking any further ahead.
“I’ve learned the hard way that you don’t get ahead of yourself,” he said.
“We played a grand final (against France) and we’ve got another chance at a grand final next week.
“And you get another chance after that if you do it right. So we’re certainly not getting ahead of ourselves.”
After underperforming in their four pool games the All Blacks clicked in their first sudden-death match.
The forwards pounded France at the collision area sending a steady stream of ball for the backs to feast on.
Left wing Julian Savea scored three tries and replacement scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who came on late in the game, scored two.
Right wing Nehe Milner-Skudder, loose forwards Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino and lock Brodie Retallick also scored.
Coach Steve Hansen was keen however to put the scoring spree behind them as quickly as possible as they turned their attention to South Africa.
“I love playing South africa because there’s a special relationship with that group that goes way way back.
“They’ve been the team New Zealand’s had the greatest challenges with for many many years and to play them at a World Cup is going to be special.”