Sure, BMR had kindly posted the All Black's post match travel arrangements etc, but imagine my "surprise" rocking up to Gare du Nord to catch the 11.43 Eurostar back to Blighty (in a somewhat dazed and confused state, after spending most of the previous day and night on the turps, amongst some excellent people from the SF, who also adopt the attitude what happens on Tour, stays on Tour !)when all of a sudden the All Black squad arrive looking like a group of wounded soldiers who have just been given a weeks leave from the front.  To say that it looked like they had just survived a battle, would not do them justice.

First up I saw Byron, who was sporting a massive shiner on his half-open left eye, I says to him, "give Justin hell next week mate!" he smiles and promises (if selected) that he will.

Next up on the Florence Nightingale list of survivors is Jerry Collins, who is limping badly on his right ankle, after humbly shaking his hand, all I could wimply say is "You da man Jerry, you da man!" Surprisingly he stops and talks openly about the game, and says he'll be right after a feed and a bath. Ultra modest bloke, who looks fitter than a very fit person.

Next was Chris Jack, whose face has several long angry red ruck marks on it, I said to him "You OK Jacko?" he smiles and replies "you should take a look at Pelous mate", and begins chatting about the game with Tane Norton.

All of a sudden I see a group of young girls mobbing someone, and I realise Dan Carter is the target, as he walks past I quip "what aftershave you use Dan?", he laughs and replies "It's my natural smell mate", just as the man mountain that is Hayman strolls past with dark bruises all over his forehead, I give him a Nod of respect, and he returns the nod without saying a word.

By now,I am feeling like WTW on heat, and have lost all sense of dignity as I approach Henry and Hansen, who are detached from the group. "Congratulations on your tactics fellas, don't let the boy's slack off over the summer!" Henry (who has a smile a mile wide) replies that it was the finest display by an All Black team he has witnessed for many years, but quickly adds "There is still plenty of room for improvement though"  Hansen nods in agreement, and makes a special mention of Woodcock.

Just when I thought that this is as good as it gets, over walks Lochore and McCaw and feeling like an inferior human being, I bow my head, half expecting St Peter to show up and say "What the F**k are you doing here"?

Ritchie looks a lot older than he really is, and he has a presence gifted to few.  Lochore still looks like the hard bugger he was.

A great weekend to be a AB supporter in Paris,but it must be said that every French person I met after the game copped the defeat sweet, and proved to be knowledgeable, humerous, and proved to me that even after a whumping*, they all have an endearing passion for the game of rugby union.

*Whumping - a cross between a whipping and a thumping.