The All Blacks have once again put the performances of others into perspective, after totally annihilating a plucky Portuguese outfit that never gave up in the face of superior fire-power.

However, these easy matches may come back to bite New Zealand in the bum.

Every World Cup since 1987 has seen them cruise past all-comers and then crumble in the face of a genuine challenger already up to speed.

In rugby, its always dificult to go through the gears at speed, and at this rate the All Blacks could have that same problem in the quarter-finals where they should face the second placed team from Pool D, who will have had to play out of their skin just to get there.