KEY POINTS:
The collected wisdom of Jerry Collins, from his midweek press call.
On the therapeutic air of Provence: "This is the best nick I've felt in for a long time. No offence to Wellington but being here for the past four weeks, I probably feel six years younger."
On whether they are concerned about the prospect of a quarter-final in Cardiff against France: "It's not a concern because after this week it could be all over and next week you'll be talking about why we're going home. That's from a realist's point of view and it's the same across the board for everyone."
There's two of the reasons Collins is fast becoming a reporter's dream. Like Anton Oliver, you'll know you'll get a quote.
Art of a warrior
When you are a sports reporter for any length of time, you become a bit blasé about the opportunities you get and the people you meet. Jean-Pierre Rives was at a function for the All Blacks in Aix-en-Provence last week and a couple of us media 'parasites' had the opportunity to chat for a while. My earliest memories of him are as a bloodied, battle-scarred warrior who played in a way that seemed to encapsulate the French.
Moving into the world of sculpture after rugby seems incongruous but, for Rives, somehow fitting. I'm not 100 per cent sold on his art but what a humble, pleasant man.
Incidentally, Rives says the biggest obstacle preventing the All Blacks winning this tournament was their own reputation.
"Every game is a final for the All Blacks, that is their problem. Everyone wants to beat the All Blacks."
Sign of the times
At the same function, the All Black-worshipping knew no bounds. The great and the good of Aix were invited and it was hilarious watching them mob-hand the few All Blacks in attendance for interviews and photographs. You knew things had reached fever pitch when there was a queue to get Dr Deb Robinson's autograph. Now I'm sure Dr Robinson is eminent in her field but, as a piece of memorabilia goes, she is hardly going to rank up there with Babe Ruth's rookie card, is she?
Orchestral All Blacks
More from the faintly ridiculous All Blacks-worshipping files.
Le Pigonnet, the classic hotel the team was staying at before decamping to Toulouse, issued a glossy booklet to celebrate the All Blacks visit.
Even by the standards of gushing prose, this passage stood out: "The All Blacks are Mozart and Wagner rolled into one, a thundering introduction, a pas de deux, a full orchestra, a flute solo, alternating rhythms, all in a rich fusion of genres: All Blacks and all light."
Must ask Tony Woodcock what he makes of that.
