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AIX EN PROVENCE - Wives and partners of the All Blacks got to experience a little glitz in southern France yesterday and it came without the attention that accompanies the likes of Victoria Beckham.
Several All Blacks players took advantage of their day off yesterday by taking their partners for a visit to Cannes on the French Riviera.
Halfback Andrew Ellis, who was with fiancee Emma, said shopping, good food and a visit to the venue for the annual film festival were on the agenda in a quiet, relaxed day.
This week is the last chance for friends and family to spend meaningful time with the players, with the unofficial "partners' tour" to end over the weekend in Toulouse.
Many will return to New Zealand as the team enter the more intense knockout phase of the tournament, although some were to stay on in Europe and remain separate to the team.
Ellis admitted that the players often used the term Wags (wives and girlfriends) in a joking fashion to their partners.
The term has became trendy in recent years, particularly in British sport.
Wags such as Beckham, the wife of football star David, will garner huge media attention for their extravagance and spending habits.
Ellis said the All Blacks' partners had formed a tight-knit group of their own well away from the limelight.
"They're staying at the same hotels and going to games together," he told NZPA.
"The guys are good mates as well. We just organise to go out to dinner together with the girls.
"They get on really well, it's a good way to have it."
The All Blacks reconvened today, with most having not ventured too far from their quiet base in Aix en Provence.
Hooker Keven Mealamu said he had played golf and tennis, having struggled in the former against teammate Rodney So'oialo.
A group of about 12 gathered this morning to burn off some energy with an optional training session which was relatively light-hearted.
Flanker Jerry Collins was among them after spending time in neighbouring Marseille the day before.
"If I went too far away, I probably wouldn't come back," Collins said.
"No offence to Wellington but since being here I probably feel about six weeks younger."
There was a final social outing for the week tonight when a group of players and management watched a local ballet company performing a tribute to the haka.
- NZPA
