Only the French cheering in NZ

PHIL REID/Dominion Post

FRENCH FRY ABs: French supporters Remi Chappoz, left, and Soazik Dunkin celebrate France's Rugby World Cup win over the All Blacks at the Alliance Francaise of Wellington.

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They did it again. In a repeat of the 1999 Rugby World Cup, France came back in the second half to beat the All Blacks 20-18.

It was an elated crowd after the game at the Dominion building in central Wellington, the home of the French language and culture organisation Alliance Francaise.

About 60 people young and old gathered to watch the game on two big screens, including many with their faces painted red, white and blue.

Just minutes before the end many burst into patriotic song, chanting the French national anthem along with outbursts of singing "allez les blues" - go the blues.

Alliances were divided for some, including French born Soazik Dunkin and her kiwi husband Miles.

Miles said he wasn't feeling "particularly flash" after the game but didn't mind his wife supporting her home team.

"I'm used to it.'

"She's quite a sports fan so whenever there's a game it's usually that way round."

Arlette Bilounga, from France, has lived in Wellington for one year.

The All Blacks supporter was feeling defeated and not looking forward to work tomorrow.

`I'm so disappointed," she said.

"I was quite sure they would win.

"It's very hard."

In other areas of Wellington, the result has left the public shattered.

Wellington Sports Cafe manager Nick Matthews said everyone at his bar this morning was subdued as the final minutes of the match played out.

"It was a little bit tense to be honest. Everyone was sitting on their drinks and not saying much. Everyone accept my French bar staff that is.

"I've got one France staff member and they were sitting at the end of the bar cheering."

Wellington man Tom Cardy, also at the bar for the game, said he was shattered and gutted by the result.

"It was like going to a funeral service ... I've never seen so many stunned mullets in my whole life."

However, Dominion Post sports editor John Chanter said all the preparation and rotation in the world was no match for French passion and determination.

"We can dissect the 'what ifs' until 2011: What if Carter was on? What if the First XV had more gametime together? What if that forward pass was picked up? What if, what if...?

"What is clear is that this has been the most expensive rugby failure in New Zealand history. It is disappointing, but life goes on," Chanter said.

"We look forward to the final at Eden Park in four years time."

- © Fairfax NZ News