I overheard an English chap at a Paris Metro station tonight asking what price he would be required to play for a ticket to the first semi-final match at the Rugby World Cup.

It was 500 pounds.

The English fans have been screaming for tickets. They were totally unprepared for their team to reach the last four and they desperately want to be in Paris to support them.

A few New Zealanders are selling tickets, but in general, most of them want to experience what will be a fabulous atmosphere- and support the French!

While people in New Zealand are still wondering how the All Blacks slumped to such a limp exit from this event, the French and English fans are asking the same question.

One French chap here in Paris, who admits he loves the All Blacks almost as much as his own team, told me he believes all the other nations spend the four years between World Cups, studying the All Blacks and plotting their demise. The French, for example, do not really care how many games they win or lose- they just want to be able to perform at the World Cup when it really matters.

The All Blacks will never change, and nor should they. All Black teams have always played to win every match. They just need to win the ones that really matter, those at the World Cup.

I have lost count of the number of All Black fans on tour here who have asked" have you worked out why they lost yet John?"

I tell them the game is all a blur to me now. I have not watched it again, although it is constantly repeated on a big screen at the base of the Eiffel Tower, and so I have not dissected it. I will though when I return to New Zealand. One day I will force myself to watch it again and maybe then it will be revealed to me. Probably no answers, just more questions.

Kiwis here also want to know why Graham Henry and his co coaches have not yet stepped down. Everyone from ex -All Blacks to motel owners to farmers, want him to resign. If he fails to do so soon, the majority of fans cannot see any reason for the NZRU not to end his involvement with the All Blacks forthwith.

There is however no massive rush or urgency for this. He might have been the least successful World Cup coach, but Graham Henry deserves a couple of weeks grace doesn't he?

November 1st 2007: Graham Henry resigns and is joined by Wayne Smith. Steve Hansen declares he wants the top job!

The final we now would like is France against Argentina. The New Zealanders here in France will be cheering for those two teams in the semi finals.

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