French people being of somewhat Latin temperament, it isn't so surprising that this week in Paris the majority of locals (78 per cent according to one newspaper's survey) have dismissed their side's chances of winning the World Cup and have therefore thrown their support in behind the All
Blacks.
However, it doesn't mean they've switched off from the rugby. The opening match between France and Argentina broke all previous live records for the highest audience ever to watch a rugby game over here. 14 million viewers just over a 54 per cent share of the total audience watching at that time. Plus, get this, in the housewives below 50 years old category, 50 per cent of them are choosing to watch the All Blacks play instead of other choices on the box. Our boys are getting the girls' attention.
Back to Paris. I found "The Rugby Club" this week. It's a massive tent that the IRB has erected down by the Eiffel Tower where, before and after games, they have bands and the odd player or team turning up to sign autographs or have a drink with the fans. Jonah Lomu and David Kirk are two due soon.
One unusual thing ... there are French people everywhere doing the haka. On the local Toyota ad we've got some generic Polynesian looking dancers doing a haka as sexy French rugby men rise from the sea like they're Neptune's sons to do battle.
Then there's an Asian bloke down at the Quai Branly Museum teaching the haka. Women too. They're breaking every rule I know about females doing the haka. Split legs, tongue poking out. But hey we're in France. They love the haka here. I just hope it doesn't turn out like the 2006 Commonwealth Games overkill in Melbourne.
What have I got on this week? A pub crawl with the NZ France Embassy crew, a visit to the Rugby Club, dinner with ex-Pat Kiwis, a trial run to Stade de France for the South Africa versus England game, a Barbie with yet more ex-Pat Kiwis and finally, a party at a Bar in the Chatelet, which is run by a rugby obsessed male model. I'll let you know what goes down...
