By their own standards, the All Blacks have not been at their absolute best during this tournament despite coasting through the pool stage.
But Saturday's 62-13 demolition of France at the Millennium Stadium was irrefutable proof they are building momentum at the right time.
"It was a pretty special performance, there's no doubt about that," New Zealand coach Steve Hansen told reporters.
REACTION: "A very pleasing win.." @allblacks coach Steve Hansen now "can't wait" for their semi-final v #RSA https://t.co/KD7kGQdF5L — Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 17, 2015
"There's a difference between pool play and knockout play and obviously that creates an edge in itself, because if you don't turn up you go home."
The defending champions are safely through to the semi-finals without skipping a beat, having avoided another slip-up against one of their few bogey teams.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key was quick to say his congratulations.
The win got Richard Branson's seal of approval.
When it comes to World Cups, no side has caused the All Blacks more sleepless nights than the French. Although New Zealand beat France in the 1987 and 2011 finals, their losses to Les Blues in the 1999 semi-finals and the 2007 quarter-finals continue to haunt the Kiwi nation.
This French team may lack the flair and unpredictability of the best Gallic sides from previous years, but revisiting the scene of their 2007 defeat was reason enough to cause even the most optimistic New Zealanders some palpitations.
They need not have worried. The 2015 All Blacks may be older than some of their predecessors, but they are also wiser, keeping their composure on the rare occasions they were under pressure and patiently waiting for their chances When those opportunities came, New Zealand seized them with ruthless efficiency, running in nine tries in a potent reminder of their attacking capabilities.
All Blacks winger Julian Savea helped himself to a hat-trick, evoking memories of Jonah Lomu as he barged his way through the French defence.
Replacement Tawera Kerr-Barlow crossed twice, helping New Zealand rack up their highest ever score against France after Brodie Retallick, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read had all touched down.
"All we've done today is earned a chance to play in a semi-final," All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said.
"What happened tonight, we're happy about, but come Monday we have to start again because there will be three other teams all with the same attitude.
"I've learnt the hard way that you don't get ahead of yourself."
The road ahead for the All Blacks does not get any easier. Their next opponents are South Africa, who have traditionally been their greatest rivals.
They have only played each other three times at the World Cup, but one of those was the 1995 final in Johannesburg, an epic match the Springboks won 15-12 in extra-time.
For South Africa, it was one of the most poignant moments in their country's history with Nelson Mandela presenting the Webb Ellis Cup to Francois Pienaar.
But for New Zealand it remains a bitter memory of what can go wrong at the business end of the World Cup.
"Unless we bring the same intensity and the same edge that we did to this contest then our opponents will take advantage," said Hansen. "And even if we do it may not be good enough, they are a quality side. Both teams will be going there with a huge desire of playing themselves into the fnal. We have to accept that. What do we control? Well We control what we do. What we do during the week is really, really important, that we get to Saturday, which I continually say is the fun time of the week, we get there well prepared both physically, mentally and strategy wise to play one of the best sides in the world."
Meanwhile for France, outgoing coach Phillippe Saint Andre could only praise his opponents.
"You need to say congratulations to New Zealand they play with so much flair and so much skills and we congratulate them for their performance today," he said.
