KEY POINTS:
Is this a bad dream or are we really about to watch the World Cup semifinals without New Zealand involved?
You are wide awake. But it's not all bad news. According to Graham Henry, the All Blacks were perfect citizens in the posh hotels they stayed in, apart from the odd exception of course. If you can't win the World Cup, then smiling at the concierge is the next best thing.
Are there any sure bets?
England won't veer far from their 2003 semifinal game plan when they beat France by scoring entirely through Jonny Wilkinson penalties and drop goals.
Could we really end up with an England v Argentina final?
Don't rule anything out given what has happened so far. You could have got spectacular odds on that scenario before the tournament but England are highly capable of beating France and South Africa weren't too convincing against Fiji. South Africa v France remains the likely outcome.
Will there be fireworks?
France v England will be all on for young and old. France could either implode or explode in front of their passionate home crowd. French coach Bernard Laporte had a long history of spats with the English when they were coached by Clive Woodward, although he now regards Woodward as "a great man".
