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CARDIFF - Depending on the level of black market activity here this week, it appears New Zealand will have more crowd support than France during Sunday's rugby World Cup quarterfinal.
Millennium Stadium usually hosts the most passionately one-sided supporters in the sport but, with Cardiff in mourning over Wales' exit from the tournament, it remains to be seen how many locals show up, who they'll support and at what volume.
If charm offensives have any sway then they'll follow the public advice from All Blacks coach Graham Henry, the man still well-liked and respected by many in these parts for his tenure as Welsh coach.
"We (New Zealand and Wales) are similar," Henry s aid.
"We're small nations and we've got big neighbours.
"We're fighting against the giants, us little minnows. It's the same on Saturday, it's tiny wee New Zealand and great big France."
Henry will hope Welsh supporters have short memories.
At the same ground less than a year ago, the All Blacks performed their haka under the grandstand as a protest to the Wales Rugby Union for their break with traditional pre-test protocol.
The number of French supporters may depend on how successful they were in securing tickets off disgruntled Welsh fans and supporters from Ireland, many of whom had pre-purchased tickets believing their team would be playing here this week.
France captain Raphael Ibanez hoped fans of his team could make themselves heard.
He questioned how tournament organisers could allow a major match that always had every chance of involving France to take place on foreign soil.
"I wouldn't say it's disappointing but it's surprising, especially when you know before the competition you're going to host the rugby World Cup," Ibanez said.
"For us, it was pretty weird arriving here and knowing that we were going to play in Cardiff. It is disappointing for the fans."
- NZPA
