Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith will play their 60th test tomorrow morning. As records go, this is arguably going to be the one that stands for the longest.

New Zealanders' confidence in the All Blacks' ability to beat France in crucial rugby matches appears to have taken a hit.

The All Blacks' World Cup quarter-final defeat to France in 2007 made Richie McCaw into the captain he is today.

With the quarter finals kicking off at 4am on Sunday morning, Scott Yeoman looks at seven things you need to know going into tonight and the weekend.

COMMENT: If All Blacks can't solidify that scrum and dominate, then France may have an advantage, writes Justin Marshall.

"I had to laugh when I heard the French had 'discreetly dismissed' Philippe Saint-Andre and were coaching themselves, writes Richard Loe.

Thanks to Instagram, All Blacks fans are getting a completely new look at the Rugby World Cup.

2011 was cathartic, so this time we're better equipped for the dreaded possibility of the team not achieving what we want them to, writes Andrew Mulligan.

Warnings about French foul play followed them up to the last World Cup in New Zealand.

We've got lots of opinions about French rugby. So what do the French think of the All Blacks and other rivals?

Near the end of a 15-minute inquisition on a variety of topics, including the Rainbow Warrior, Hansen effectively said - don't worry, everything is going to plan.

Joe Moody has topped a whirlwind week by being rushed straight into the All Blacks team to play France.

Pressure was the demon that not only killed the All Black players at the 2007 World Cup, it got to the coaching panel, too.

Pound for pound, the All Blacks are going to put a better team on the park, writes Gregor Paul.

After a two day hiatus - and a big weekend of quarter-final rugby to prepare for - Scott Yeoman looks at seven things you need to know.

We look at the French players who may wield the greatest influence in Sunday morning's World Cup quarter-final against the All Blacks at Cardiff.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING: Timaru-born France prop Uini Atonio cracks wise while rest of squad works out what to do about the haka.

Schalk Burger's eternally beaming face briefly gave way to a deep frown yesterday when asked what lessons had been learned from the 2011 World Cup defeat to Australia in New Zealand that might help....

Some sporting wounds cut so deep the scars never really heal.

Either Wayne Barnes or Craig Joubert would have caused bitterness on the field, writes Gregor Paul.

COMMENT: Here's a confession - I have a lot of trouble supporting my own body weight while watching most rugby matches.

If the All Blacks find themselves in a tight contest with France at halftime on Sunday morning, it won't be time to panic.

The missing ingredient for the All Blacks at this World Cup has been a genuine sense of fear.

Check out Richie's All Black efforts off the field.

Sudden-death matches can bring out the best, and the worst, in players, and All Blacks lock Luke Romano is preparing to fight fire with fire against France in Sunday's World Cup quarter-final.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING: Japan welcomed home like heroes and US news network tries to get to the heart of the haka.