OPINION: France, again. In Cardiff.
It's supposed to send shudders down New Zealand rugby fans spines, only Ireland's 24-9 win over the tricolors at Millennium Stadium suggests there isn't a lot to fear.
And in fact, France, provided reason for the All Blacks to be more than optimistic about their chances in their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal at the same venue in six days' time.
Ireland's fans won emphatically in the stands and their team did the same on the field where they enjoyed a massive 69 per cent of possession and 72 per cent of territory.
Most encouraging for the All Blacks was that France were vulnerable in the backs and largely impotent at the breakdown.
There was space on the outside, and holes in the midfield even if the men in green weren't quite clinical enough to ram home their advantage.
Centre Keith Earls shelled a sitter in the first half, while Sean O'Brien did similar in the second, but Ireland were always well ahead.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen had expected Ireland when the tournament began, but anyone at Millennium Stadium on Sunday (Monday NZ time) could testify it felt every bit like a home match for the Irish.
Their fans poured into Cardiff, decked the stadium green and outsung their French rivals. Injuries to first five-eighth Jonny Sexton, lock Paul O'Connell and blindside Peter O'Mahony may come back to bite Ireland in coming weeks, while openside Sean O'Brien may face a date with the judiciary after throwing a punch.
But even without the injured trio they looked a side with purpose and passion in the bank.
Second five-eighth Robbie Henshaw was immense, but it was partly because French centre Mathieu Bastareaud, defending outside Frederic Michalak from set pieces, provided two weak points.
In the first half Tommy Bowe burst through their zone only for Earls to shell the pass. Henshaw effortlessly went around Bastareaud in the second half, while fullback Rob Kearney found Michalak and ran over him for Ireland's first try. Michalak often waves a wand in attack, but he is not so magical when it comes to defence.
It would not have escaped All Blacks first-five Dan Carter's eyes, nor those of wings Julian Savea and Nehe Milner Skudder, nor midfielders Ma'a Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams.
That's not to say France are a poor team and they remain a rugby chameleon who could turn up in a different guise next week.
Certainly they impressed in the close quarters. Locks Pascal Pape and Yoann Maestri were physical and intimidating and No 8 Louis Picamoles aggressive and effective in rushing up to stop the Irish attack.
But they lacked zip in the loose forwards where O'Brien had a field day and took poor options with the little possession they got.
Michalak was too keen to run, often getting his side in trouble behind the gain line when his pack desperately needed the ball in front of them.
There will of course follow a tsunami of talk about the 2007 quarterfinal when France beat the All Blacks 20-18 at the same venue.
Richie McCaw and Dan Carter are likely to be the only New Zealand survivors who played that grey night in Cardiff. For France, only captain Thierry Dusautoir and Michalak remain.
Is there a chance it could creep into the All Blacks' psyche? Perhaps, but for now they can be confident the current French side look entirely beatable.
