Black humour

New Zealand's misery at their semi-final defeat by France, compounded by the ignominy of losing the third and fourth place play-off to South Africa and thereby becoming the first All Black team to have to pre-qualify for a World Cup Finals, has made it a very difficult week for the men in black.

Coach John Hart's decision to resign is likely to pre-empt several other high profile departures, possibly Jeff Wilson, Josh Kronfeld and Jonah Lomu. Ian Jones has already signalled his international retirement with his move to Gloucester.

The All Blacks return home tomorrow to face the music of a disenchanted public for whom rugby is everything. Unfortunately for the New Zealand players, their failure has spawned a series of jokes and Planet Rugby sampled one or two from the plethora doing the rounds.

Joke 1 - The seven dwarfs are working in the family mine when one day there is a cave-in. Distraught Snow White rushes to the entrance of the mine to establish if there have been any survivors. In the distance she hears a faint voice. "I'm telling you New Zealand are going to win the World Cup." Snow White shrieks with delight: "oh thank goodness Dopey is still alive."

Joke 2 - A New Zealand man decides that he can't go on living after the All Blacks' defeat to France. He prepares to end it all but at the last minute decides that he is going to go wearing his prized possession, the full New Zealand kit of jersey, shorts and socks. While he changes a neighbour who can see into the house twigs what's happening and phones the police who arrive in the nick of time. The local constabulary starts to dress the man in suspenders and lacy underwear much to his bemusement. He eventually pipes up: "What are you dressing me like this for," to which the officer replies: "Well sir we don't want to embarrass your family."