Let's keep in mind how rubbish France really are. Third in Europe for the past 2 Six Nations, managed to lose 4 in a row to England (who have been dire since 2003), and even England managed to score 5 tries and over 30 points against them. They also lost three games at the last world cup, including twice against the mighty Argentina! Not being a knocker: being realistic.

Great to see the class of rugby that was seen on Saturday but why are these kind of performances not produced when we need them? Great to end the year on a high and on top but we lost the trinations crown and lost three consecutive matches to the Springboks. Until we stop choking on the big stage I am not going to get optimistic. There is an attractiveness to the physically dominant brand of rugby the springboks play merely because they do win when they need to. If you remember the all blacks also resorted to a similar brand towards the end of the trinations season because that is the brand that wins matches. Unless the rules are changed we better get used to a more boring brand of rugby or the all blacks playing more attractive rugby and winning less.

This article is rubbish. NZ "Home of Knockers" Why can't we just tip our hat to the ABs for the excellent performance they put in their last game. Why does it always have to be overshadowed by the more negative moments in our season? To offer insight and improvement is one thing, but to take the sheen off what was a near complete performance from the side has to be knocked with the "We're still are not as tough as the Springboks" mentality. NZ "The Home of Knockers" Tall poppy syndrome at its finest. Let's celebrate because as their sucess has been ensured, they have made us proud and the continuity of the All Blacks as a leading innovators in international rugby is a fine tradition to be celebrated.

I think the Springboks ought to be shot with the style of rugby they play. They might be winning th games that are most important, but in doing so they are producing a brand of rugby that is giving the younger generation of this world more of an incentive to play a different sport. The rules of the game need to be revised once again to take the focus of this boring play away from such teams who abuse it. Expansive, free-flowing rugby is what its all about.

I take my hat off to the french they came with their gameplan and purpose to beat the Abs with a running game, and to destroy that myth and aura. Confidence was that high in their camp. They backed their forwards to smash us up front and gain the upper hand like they did with the boks. Duncan this was just plain naivety on their part and had nothing to do with trying to make the game a running spectacle. Their gameplan was countered by a defensive system that hammered them before the gain line and turned the ball over with ease. Aerial ping pong might win games but its all 'hit and miss'. The Ab's don't do 'hit and miss'. Instead they are developing a defensive/offensive system to counter it. As you've seen, its currently in its infant stages with identifying the personnel with the attrbutes to implement it. Come twenty-eleven if not before, you will see the fruits. Hopefully this will keep us ahead of the ping pong playing chasing pack. Have faith in Henry & Co, they won't just let the grass grow under their feet, they're a bit more astute than that.

Agree to a point that france attacking intent helped us, but we also adapted aswell not to kick away good possesion and attack with flair and support, and well - our forarwds monstered them which always sets up a good foundation. Also like the fact we can also win ugly now like the AB's of old (pre 87 RWC) always could. I think IRB should reduce drop goals to one point though.

Please God make the administrators do something to give us games like the one we witnessed. I could even handle it if Ab's lost to France but just to see rugby like that is beautiful. SA Rugby is mostly boring! Brendan from Cape Town SA :)

Come on gang, this AB team is goinna win the World cup with bells on. They are a team miles ahead of that crowd who lost at the last World cup against the Froggies in Cardiff.

That team played great 'attacking rugby' almost as good as the guys in Marseilles the other morning. But - unlike our current ABs - those buggers could'nt defend - which is about all they needed, to bring the trophy back to us!

Furthermore, despite the Jappes beating the ABs three Zip! that mob couldn't score tries against our guys - as with the Poms, the Frogs, the Leeks and the Scotties. Three years nobody crosses the chalkline.

Other than the one try to the Ockers - these guys are not only adept at scoring rugby - they have the best defensive game in the business -and that's really what's needed to win at the World Cup. This team are the best at the game in defense and offense - and they are goinna get bett'r & Bett'r. So get use to it - I mean get use to winning the 'Webb Ellis' the Ockers call 'Bill'

Kiwi Bill.

I'm french, first of all I'd like to said how much I love AB's since many years but I was supporting french team of course. Saturday test match was very nice and rugby playing values high hoisted by Blacks (white ?) team. I'd note two things: 1/ I saw Dunedin test match last year for french victory and the assistance hasn't been fair with french team during final round in stadium, I was disapointed. 2/ At Marseille french assistance applaused (almost all) the ABs team because the performance of those guys was nice and France like NZ rugby. I'm proud for that because respect, fraternity are importants for sport. I'll probably have a trip in NZ for world cup 2011 to celebrate my 50 years birthday in the strong men land. Long live to the best ambassadors of rugby. (sorry for my english).

So

to be honest i believe france beat a full strength south africa and we beat a full strength france...therefore i feel that international rugby seems to be quite evenly matched between the three sides (not aussie as they were rubbish in all but two games this year)