After 30 minutes at the Millennium stadium, 50% of the French public, who thought their team could pull off an upset before the match, must have felt rather foolish.

That opening period saw the All blacks at their very best. Running the ball at pace, with fantastic angles, and ripping the French to pieces at every opportunity.

It seemed that the risk that Bernard Laporte had taken by starting with Beauxis at stand-off had spectacularly backfired as the youngster had a nightmare first half.

But on the stroke of half-time he nailed a penalty, lighting the touch paper of belief that carried the 'Bleus' into the second period, and onto such drama.

After the break the French were born-again players, and the introduction of Frederik Michelak proved to be an inspired move as he made the important break for the game winning try.

As for the All Blacks, I simply cannot explain what went wrong for them. I have never seen them, since watching replays of old games from the 1970's, try to play the same 10-man rugby that I've been lambasting others for using during the tournament.

The only explanation is that they were taken by fear. The same fear that has prevented them from adding to their 1987 triumph in the last 20 years.

So we have the most unlikely of semi-finals next week in Paris to look forward to. And after today's raft of upsets, who's to say what will happen tomorrow in the supposedly one-sided matches on offer.