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All Blacks post record-breaking

"The opposition was too strong and too fast for us. There is a big difference between us and them at the moment."

-- Bernard Laporte, France coach

Winger Joe Rokocoko scored two tries as New Zealand beat France 61-10 in the second rugby union Test yesterday, sweeping the two-match series and setting a world record of 23 straight home wins.

New Zealand's last home loss was 15-13 to England at Wellington in June, 2003. England's 22-game winning streak at home was previously acknowledged as the world mark.

Rokocoko's two first-half tries, including his 45m dash from the kickoff that followed a try by Byron Kelleher, lifted New Zealand to a 30-5 half-time lead and crushed the last, timid resistance of a French team beaten 42-11 in the first Test a week ago.

New Zealand made six changes to their first-Test lineup, stiffening their forward pack with veterans Jerry Collins, Anton Oliver and Rodney So'oialo, and basing their win on a massive advantages at scrums and in the loose.

Its general play rose above the standard set in the Test at Auckland, where the All Blacks scored six tries in a staccato display. Combinations were stronger yesterday and New Zealand achieved more continuity, though they showed they have some way to go to reach the highest standard they have attained over the last two seasons.

"I think the team stepped up several notches from last week," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said. "We played with more patience and control and it was pleasing. We scored nine tries and played some quality rugby."

New Zealand's nine tries came as they out-muscled and steadily built pressure on the depleted, inexperienced and unwilling French. Rokocoko's double was backed by tries for Kelleher, Leon MacDonald, Isaia Toeava, Collins, Nick Evans, hookers Anton Oliver and Keven Mealamu.

France scored first -- a penalty to Benjamin Boyet -- and brightened the match with a second-half try to winger Julien Laharrague which capped a 90m counter-attack. Boyet converted.

"The opposition was too strong and too fast four us," said France coach Bernard Laporte. "There is a big difference between us and them at the moment."

New Zealand's margin of victory was limited by some poor handling and option taking and by the indifferent goalkicking of center Luke McAlister who landed seven goals from 12 attempts: five conversions and two penalties for 16 points.

The All Blacks made 16 line-breaks to France's three but made 17 handling errors to five.

All the same, they still achieved their highest score and largest winning margin in a Test against France.

An injury to lock Ali Williams cast a small shadow on New Zealand's victory. Williams left the field in the 30th minute with a suspected broken jaw after colliding with French No. 8 Sebastien Chabal.

He was taken to hospital for x-rays and surgery, adding to the problems of an All Blacks team which had already lost locks James Ryan and Jason Eaton to injuries and lost Keith Robinson before the match to a calf strain.

Four Frenchmen required hospital treatment: captain Pascal Pape who underwent scans after suffering dizziness, Lionel Mazars for a broken hand, Arnaud Mignardi for damaged ribs and Sebastien Chabal for an injured shoulder.

New Zealand's first try yesterday went to Oliver who grounded the ball against the upright after concerted forward pressure on the French line.

Kelleher scored in the 25th minute, darting around the open side of a 5m scrum, dummying and driving over.

Rokocoko had his first try two minutes later, pursuing and claiming Kelleher's chipped kick, swerving, then outpacing the defense in a 45m dash down the touchline.

Those two tries in a two-minute period broke France's spirit, bolstered New Zealand and ensured the All Blacks' comprehensive win.
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