KEY POINTS:
The World War II villain Klaus Barbie was nicknamed the "Butcher of Lyon" For his disgusting deeds to the French.
Yesterday, we saw another massacre in Lyon.
This time, French rugby was the victim but the All Blacks didn't need barbaric or evil tactics.
Remember this French team
is rated number two in the world and had won 10 games on the trot before this match - what a comedown.
I want to put things into perspective as to how good the All Blacks were and how bad the French.
This may have been the most complete game played during the Graham Henry era.
The setpieces were strong and accurate.
At scrumtime, I thought the French were intimidated and were hesitant from the formation and initial hit.
Elvis Vermeulen was strong and consistent at No 8 but by the time the ball was at his feet the damage had been done.
The All Blacks wrecked the French scrum and profited with a well-worked try which came directly from a French scrum.
My pre-match worries about the Anton Oliver, Ali Williams, James Ryan combination at the lineout were proved wrong.
For the most they were efficient and put huge pressure on France as the game progressed - although the way Dimitri Szarzewski and then Raphael Ibanez threw the ball in made it a lottery for the French to win any ball in this area.
The experienced loose forward combo of Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins and Rodney So'oialo hummed and the French were brittle and hesitant.
They would set up a few good phases then concede the crucial turnover which the All Blacks punished with ruthless efficiency.
Against England, the All Blacks' defence looked underdone and without the confidence of combinations.
Against France, it may have been the best I have seen in recent years.
This wasn't just defence to stop the other guys scoring points or getting over the advantage line.
This was accurate, ruthless and for me was the most decisive area of the game.
The French are gifted and have considerable skill, yet the All Blacks' defence made them look very average. No, more than that - they looked hopeless.
Sometimes defences can win games with illegality and cynical play at the advantage line.
This All Blacks defence must have been close in that area, but it didn't concede penalties - again another big tick.
France had no choice but to kick for fear of losing the ball in middle field to the All Black tacklers. And what about the French attempts at driving for the line from close range penalties? They were smashed off the ball by a black tornado.
Another area which I am certain Henry and his coaching staff have been looking to improve over the past 12 months has been capitalising on opportunities and converting chances into points.
Against France every opportunity was taken, whether it was 20m or 90m from the French line, and even if it was only a half-chance.
The French had more ball and territory, but the All Blacks' defence and attacking strikepower made a mockery of such statistics.
So how big is the gap between this All Blacks team and the rest?
Huge.
Don't get me wrong, there will be slip ups and the odd loss to come.
Has this group peaked too early for next year's World Cup?
The age and demeanour of the team would suggest not - nor should we assume this current form will be enough to win in the pressure cooker of a cup tournament.
Henry now has the interesting task of picking his best for the match in Paris next week.
He has the comfort of knowing about 28 of his squad are up to the task of being the best, but it won't be an easy task. I hope he doesn't bail out and sticks with trying to pick the best.
Deciding who to leave out might be Henry's toughest test yet.
This was one of the most outstanding All Black performances in the modern era. It made the second-best team in the world look second-rate and incompetent.
Make no mistake, this massacre will be a huge blow to the French confidence.
They have a chance for redemption in Paris.
But where can they start to curb and control this All Black team.
The scary thing is that maybe this group - whoever is selected - will probably get better.
* John Drake is a World Cup-winning All Black.
