New Zealand thrash France to reach World Cup semis

South Africa edged Wales 23-19 in a nail-biter at Twickenham, while New Zealand reminded everyone just why it is the defending champion as it hammered France 62-13 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

“What is important is that we get there well prepared, both physically and mentally and strategy wise to play one of the best sides in the world”. Here’s what the players and coaches said in the aftermath of the match. “You need to have the same goals and the same vision. And character is like charcoal and under pressure, you get diamonds”, he said, according to SuperSport. It ended up in his hands and he scored a try.

There was a dressing room bust-up this week, there was dissension in the ranks and they were palpably in awe of the All Blacks, who showed up on the night to bully them around the field.

“It’s not my country and I shouldn’t say too much but, if you want to be successful at global level, you have to be united from the top down”. “All I have to do is give credit to the boys inside me”. People said he is an old player and he came through.

“I have always watched Bryan since I was a youngster”.

The try wasn’t converted, but Wales suddenly needed a try to win, and didn’t look like getting it in the last minutes, pinned in their own half. As his coaching reign came to a humiliating end, he rekindled his evasive best when probed about the incident. “After such a defeat, after the helplessness we felt for most of the game, there’s not much left to say”.

New Zealand have a 59 percent win ratio against the Springboks over their past 90 meetings, impressive enough but comfortably their lowest against any nation. The comparisons with Jonah Lomu were instantaneous, but I think he might just surpass Lomu and be hailed as the greatest All Black winger by the time the tournament is done.

“I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the forwards giving us great ball”. But a staunch South African defense resisted.

Speaking to the media following the announcement of his man of the match award, the flank was honest and humble in his musings.

Duane Vermeulen on his pass for Fourie du Preez’s match-winning try. We obviously knew that this game was going to be won in the last 10 minutes. They smash the ball up, they kick it a lot and their chase is efficient.

“Isn’t it wonderful for rugby that all shapes and sizes can play the game. Hopefully, this will stand us in good stead for next week”, Burger stated, according to Sport24.

Under head coach Philippe Saint Andre, who will make way for the former Toulouse coach Guy Noves, France always played conservatively, but on Saturday they chose to be bold. That was pretty intense.

The All Blacks were questioned repeatedly this week about if they were scarred by the corresponding quarterfinal at Millennium Stadium eight years ago, when New Zealand was beaten 20-18 by France at the same stage, on the same ground.