of his 16 points in the second quarter as Ut

PARIS, France -- Is it possible in life to be given too much of a good thing? Does the security guard tasked with keeping a watchful eye on the Mona Lisa day in, day out, long for the opportunity to leave Le Louvre and cast their eye on something a bit more tawdry?Taking in New Zealands clinical 24-19 defeat of France at the Stade de France, it was only natural to ponder whether we have come to take the world champions for granted. Victory was their 21st in their last 22 Test matches, and means that another unbeaten streak is beginning to be built.All of which was achieved with Steve Hansens side rarely out of second gear in attack. It was another committed defensive effort but, in truth, France only had themselves to blame for not breaching the All Blacks try line until the 62nd minute.As in Dublin seven days previously, New Zealand sealed victory despite seeing very little of the ball -- they managed just 38 percent possession in the opening 40 minutes here.Ireland proved recently in both Chicago -- where they ended New Zealands world record winning run -- and Dublin that this All Blacks team will give you chances. Capitalise on those opportunities and they are beatable; pass them up and they will punish you.France will leave the Stade de France clutching onto the positives having created five try-scoring opportunities in the first 30 minutes alone.But crucially it was through their own mistakes that they were undone. Had anyone in dark blue shown an ounce of the composure that comes naturally to those wearing white in Paris, then the scoreline would have been markedly different.However, on too many occasions when the pressure was cranking up on the All Blacks, France responded with a forced pass or a knock on. A scrambled defence suddenly had possession to protect, a booming clearance later and the pressure was released.Part of the credit for that, of course, goes to New Zealands ferocious defence but it is no coincidence that confidence drained from the French players as the try line approached. It is an affliction that fans of Northern Hemisphere sides are well used to when faced by one of the big three from the south.And as Hansen and his players head for home, will any of that matter to them? They might not have had an awful lot of the ball, but when they had it they were clinical.Indeed, Beauden Barretts drilled kick-pass to Julian Savea for the opening try was almost identical to the one that found Malakai Fekitoa in Ireland last weekend. The main difference being that it was put into action around 40 metres further back, and without the luxury of a stretched defence in opposition. Frances rearguard was limp as Savea passed inside for Israel Dagg to scamper over, having punched themselves out in attack for much of the preceding six minutes.It is not something that you can often say about the All Blacks, and is proof that their composure in those pressure moments is not something that should be taken for granted. In fact it is the very reason they seem so formidable to their opponents.The first try again is a case in point. It may have looked easy from the stands or on TV, but there were several skills that needed to be enacted perfectly. Barretts cross-filed kick is useless if it is an inch or two further left or right, Savea in turn needs to catch the ball, while evading Noa Nakaitaci, and then offload to Dagg in support. Any of those skills could falter, but they didnt.That is the result of hours spent on the training pitch, but it is also the product of having the confidence to try it in a game, and for it all to come off. Time and again.The ability that the All Blacks bring to their game in attack in turn feeds into their aura. France felt the pressure when they entered the New Zealand 22 in part because they knew that their opponents would punish any slip-ups. If the All Blacks enter the pitch with an advantage, it is because every other team in the world knows the speed with which they can turn defence into attack.This might not have been a vintage performance from Hansens side but it was ruthlessly clinical, and that is something that should be applauded. Especially when it is the very thing that their opponents struggle to match. Los Angeles Lakers Pro Shop . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. Cheap Lakers Jerseys . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. https://www.lakersjerseycheap.com/ . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. Custom Los Angeles Lakers Jerseys .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. Lakers Jerseys China . John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead. MILWAUKEE -- Brock Stull had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Jeremiah Bell scored 15 points, and Milwaukee beat Jacksonville 72-67 on Wednesday night.Jacksonville, which trailed by as many as 13 points in the second half, went on a 13-5 run to get within 62-58 with 3:14 left.Bell hit two free throws with 19 seconds left for a 70-65 lead and after Darien Fernandez made two at the stripe to cut it to 70-67, August Haas went 1 of 2 for a four-point lead. J.R. Holder missed a 3-ppointer for Jacksonville and Cody Wichmann sealed it at the line.ddddddddddddichmann finished with 14 points for Milwaukee (3-4) and Dan Studer had 10 points.It was Milwaukees first home game since its season opener on Nov. 11.Holder hit four 3-pointers and scored 19 points for Jacksonville (5-3). Fernandez added 14 points and Devin Harris 10. ' ' '