Wynne Gray's 50 greatest rugby moments: No. 36

Members of the 1999 All Blacks squad enjoy a swim at a beach in Mandelieu, Framce. Photo / AFP

In 1999, the All Blacks had a 10-day break before their quarter-final against Scotland in Edinburgh.

The idea of staying and training in chilly, awkward conditions did not appeal, so they packed up for a stint on the French Riviera. It was billed as a three-day getaway to recharge their batteries after pit-stops at Bromgrove, Bristol, Bagshot and Leeds.

The publicity machine pitched the All Blacks' exodus as a chance to grab some peace and time on their own away from the rigours of the World Cup. The New Zealand media were asked to respect that privacy, which most did because of the cost of changing itineraries.

However the All Blacks were fair game for the paparazzi camera lens along the French Riviera.

They were big news in the south of France where rugby had a strong following and pictures of people like global superstar Jonah Lomu were prime targets for the magazines and newspapers. Concealing a troupe of 30 rugby players and their staff, all clad in their sponsored kit, from the local rugby throng and prying cameras was never going to happen.

Originally, the All Blacks wanted to visit Malaga in Spain, but that request was vetoed because teams had to stay within the tournament boundaries. The travel tick went to Nice instead with All Black explanations about it being time to sharpen the side's focus.

We were told there would be minimal media contact during their time away while the French media went into overdrive, getting great shots of the All Blacks frolicking in the surf and chilling out on the waterfront.

When they returned to Edinburgh, some of the All Blacks wondered why we hadn't been on the short hop to the south of France. Told we had been excluded, they said everyone else seemed to be there and it hadn't been a problem.

Later that week the All Blacks made hard work of their 30-18 quarter-final win against Scotland, played on a damp pitch in constant rain. They were always going to win against the reigning Five Nations champions, but many of the All Blacks looked like they were still on holiday.