SYDNEY -- New Zealand outclassed a largely second-string French team 40-13 at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney on Thursday to claim third place in the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

The victory will come as little consolation to a rugby-proud nation expecting nothing short of capturing the William Webb Ellis trophy.

To their credit, though, the All Blacks played with the commitment associated with their famous jersey and lifted themselves for a match that was never going to set pulses racing.