France coach Bernard Laporte paid tribute to his team's discipline after they dumped favourites New Zealand from the World Cup with a thrilling 20-18 win in Cardiff last night.
The French, who were forced to play their quarter-final in Cardiff after finishing as runners-up in their pool, came from 13-0 down at the Millennium Stadium to pull off their first win over the All Blacks for seven years.
The victory and set up a semi-final showdown with England in Saint Denis next Saturday.
'We didn't want to play the game here in Cardiff but we had to because we lost our first game,' said Laporte. 'We had to pick ourselves up and get ourselves back in the World Cup.
'The players reacted with a lot of determination. They didn't want to die today. This team really showed a lot of guts because we weren't playing in France.
‘The All Blacks certainly had far more possession than us but our discipline was excellent - it really played a great role in our win.
'We kicked the ball a bit aimlessly in the first half but the players were patient, and in terms of possession, things balanced themselves out in the second half.
'It was a good win for us but from tomorrow we start thinking about England. It's going to be another really tough match.'
The All Blacks led 13-0 thanks to an 18th-minute try from centre Luke McAlister and three goals from Dan Carter before penalty goals from Lionel Beauxis either side of half-time gave the French hope.
But Laporte's team did not hit the front until Jean-Baptiste Elissalde converted Yannick Jauzion's 69th-minute try and they were forced to hold off a terrific late onslaught before securing their famous victory.
France captain Rafael Ibanez, who was in the team that beat New Zealand in the 1999 World Cup, revealed his players went eyeball-to-eyeball with the All Blacks during the pre-match Haka to demonstrate their pride in the jersey.
'We took the decision three days ago,' he said. 'We weren't trying to indulge in provocation. We have a lot of respect for the Haka.
'But by nailing our flags to the mast, we wanted to show how proud we were of wearing our country's colours.
'I believe that every time you play New Zealand you have to play out of your skin and that's what happened this evening. This will remain with me for the rest of my life.
'It was a great victory. They players really gave everything right until the end. In the World Cup courage and team spirit can make a big difference. We played with a lot of heart.
'At half-time we talked very well and Bernard told us that at 13-3 the last 40 minutes were the most important in our lives.'
The All Blacks' defeat, which followed that of Australia earlier in the day, left them still looking to add to their solitary success in the inaugural World Cup of 1987.
Coach Graham Henry said: 'Obviously we're disappointed. The first thing you have got to say is that the French need a huge pat on the back.
'They played with passion and fire. They were a different French side to one we've played in the past. I think that's the major factor.
'They had an astute game plan and took their opportunities. The better side won on the day.'
'That's sport I guess. We didn't play as well as have done in the past.'
'We had a few opportunities but we didn't finish them off. I guess that was our Achilles heel.'
New Zealand had cruised through to the last eight without being tested but captain Richie McCaw was not in the mood to look for excuses.
'We went out there to play our best but we were not allowed to play our best because of a good French team,' he said. 'I thought the boys were ready to play today.
'We were beaten by the better team. Some guys probably played last games for the All Blacks and that hurts as well.
'I'm at a loss to explain why we didn't put our game together as we would have liked. We said we had to score first in the second half but we didn't do that and the French lifted.'
Meanwhile, the 61-year-old Henry insists he is not thinking about the future despite his team's latest failure.
'People will judge me as they see fit but I feel comfortable that I've done everything I can,' he said.
'Obviously the World Cup is the pinnacle. We gave it our best shot and it wasn't good enough.
'I just feel for the guys, who have spent a huge amount of time preparing for this. It's not the time to think about the future at the moment.'
