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Sport

17th Oct 2015

Julian Savea scores two beautiful tries to give New Zealand half-time lead

Pure class

Kevin Beirne

Anything Duane Vermuelen can do, Dan Carter can do better.

New Zealand look to have firmly put the ghost of 2007 to rest after a dominating first-half display against France in their World Cup quarter final.

The All Blacks totally controlled the opening half of the game, and go into the break with a 29-13 lead thanks to tries from Brodie Retallick, Nehe Milner-Skudder and a brace from Julian Savea while France responded with a Louis Picamoles try.

Savea’s two tries underlined New Zealand’s dominance more than anything else. The first came courtesy of one of the tastiest offloads you will ever see from Dan Carter.

If his first was a beautiful symphony, his second was pure, unadulterated rock as he smashed through French defenders in a way that would make the great Jonah Lomu proud.