If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Codie Taylor just paid his All Blacks predecessor one heck of a compliment.

The talented hooker was arguably the standout All Black in Saturday night's runaway 52-11 victory over France in their June series opener, producing an all-round, high-octane performance that had observers comparing his display to Dane Coles in his pomp.

Taylor took care of his core tasks efficiently, with the New Zealand scrum and lineout establishing ascendancy, and thrived around the park in the second half as the game opened up. His expert finish of a perfectly judged Beauden Barrett grubber was the exclamation point to a performance that showcased the Crusaders hooker's skill, athleticism and workrate.

HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES

Codie Taylor goes in for his try at Eden park that capped a brilliant all-round test for the All Blacks hooker.

Coles, of course, is currently rehabbing after major off-season knee surgery and hopes to return to the field during the back part of 2018. He remains very much part of Steve Hansen's plans heading towards the 2019 World Cup, but first has to shake off a horror run of injuries that have decimated his past two seasons.

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But in many ways Coles' influence is still prevalent in the All Blacks in the form of one-time understudy Taylor who unabashedly credits the 56-test Wellingtonian with setting the gold standard for the all-purpose hooker that is fast becoming the norm in the modern game.

"When I first came in he was -- he still is -- a class act when it comes to his skillset," said Taylor before the All Blacks decamped to Wellington to start preparations for Saturday's second test against the French. "In this team that's exactly what Steve [Hansen] and Fozzie (Ian Foster) want from their hookers.

"Seeing what he's done on the field, trying almost to mimic him, has helped heaps. He's been a great mentor in terms of getting myself up to that calibre."

BILLY STICKLAND/ PHOTOSPORT.NZ

Dane Coles brought a well-rounded, skillful game to the All Blacks' No 2 jersey.

If Saturday's performance is anything to go by, Taylor, who tallied his 30th test cap, has not only been a quick study, but might have reached a level that is going to create quite a selection conundrum when Coles eventually returns to full fitness.

"I just really enjoyed my time out there," said Taylor of his star Eden Park turn. "I've been here a few years now, I've learnt my role, and just have to perform it now. I've got a lot of confidence off the back of last year and to go out [on Saturday night] and follow that up is awesome."

In terms of the passing, running and finishing skills he was able to exhibit, Taylor credited the nurturing All Blacks environment .

"We work really hard in this team to nail our skills. We work on the perfect pass but that's not always the case and we do a lot of drills where things aren't perfect.

"I'd say those sort of things helped me out with some of the opportunities that came my way. [The try] was just a good bounce of the ball -- it popped up perfectly. When I'm catching my breath out on the wings the ball seems to come that way.

"It's our role, in our game-plan and I'm happy take anything comes that way," he added of the wide ranging nature of the hooker's game under Hansen.

Taylor credited the All Blacks forwards with winning the contact area up front before the game was able to open up in the second half, and was especially happy with the scrum.

"It was huge. The French are a world-ranked scrum, and for us to win our ball and put pressure on them, it's something we can be pretty proud of. But it all starts again tomorrow and they will be pretty fired up I'd say."

One scrum in particular stood out for its sheer game-changing nature, and it happened to coincide with the arrival on the field of Taylor's Auckland room-mate Karl Tu'inukuafe.

"He's come from a different background. You think about All Blacks coming through the ranks, but he's done the opposite and come out of nowhere and taken his opportunity," said Taylor of his roomie's dream debut off the bench. "It's inspiring to see and inspiring for other people who might be in the same shoes. The last year or two he probably wasn't even thinking he'd play professional rugby, and he's just worked really hard."

 - Stuff