By Tom Bell

Oliver is one third of the All Blacks' formidable front row

New Zealand's Anton Oliver says the All Blacks have stolen the secrets of England's 2003 success in their desire to succeed them as world champions.

The hooker won his 50th cap in the 47-3 thrashing of France in Lyon on Saturday and credits Sir Clive Woodward's side with providing the blueprint for glory.

"England winning the World Cup re-emphasized the importance of forward play and experience," said Oliver.

"England being so dominant in the set-pieces is what started us off."

New Zealand inflicted France's biggest-ever home defeat at the Stade Gerland, just as they had done against England at Twickenham six days earlier with a 41-20 victory.

But Oliver maintains that England provided the spur for New Zealand's remodelling under coach Graham Henry, who has added tight-five nous to scintillating back play.

When Test matches get close, experience counts and England proved that Anton Oliver

"We knew that if we were going to beat the French, we would have to scrum well," Oliver told BBC Sport. "It's something we've put a lot of emphasis on.

"I think it stemmed from the English winning the World Cup. The Heineken Cup also had an emphasis on scrummaging and forward play.

"The Super 14 has a lot of wonderful things about it, but it hasn't put a lot of emphasis on forward play. That was the English gift to the world game.

"And we've got quite an experienced team now - when Test matches get close, experience counts and England proved that."

Oliver rates the 2006 vintage as "the most polished" of his time as an All Black.

And he believes the northern hemisphere experience of former Wales coaches Steve Hansen and Henry - who also led the 2001 Lions - and former Northampton coach Wayne Smith is paying off.

"The three coaches work off each other, they're tremendously experienced and have had successes and failures in other realms of coaching," Oliver said.

"They've brought that back with them and it's really working."