After beating France 39-12 in their rugby Test at Marseille to regain the Dave Gallaher trophy, the All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has been named the International Rugby Board player of the year.
McCaw's the first two-time winner of the award but he's probably happier with their first ever win in Marseille, which they acheived playing attacking, attractive rugby.
The All Blacks scored three first-half tries and their first-ever win in Marseille was sealed through two more tries to right winger Cory Jane and centre Conrad Smith.
Jane's was a slick kick and regather while Smith just picked up the ball at a feisty ruck and cantered 20 yards down the sideline for his five-pointer.
The All Blacks led 22-12 at half-time after an early try to left winger Sitiveni Sivivatu, which first-five Dan Carter converted.
Sivivatu then broke through the French defence again, supplying the tryscoring pass for fullback Mils Muliainia.
A third try for the All Blacks came after a good scrum near the French line with flanker Jerome Kaino touching down and Carter converting.
The Tri-Coloures bagged three penalties and a drop goal.
The victory means the All Blacks remain unbeaten in two European Test tours and have also not conceded a try in that time.
They play the Barbarians at Twickenham next Sunday to round out the season.
Carter brought up his century against France in the match, his four conversions and two penalties giving him the mantle of highest points scorer for New Zealand against France.
