Each clash between France and New Zealand generally remains etched in memories. Made prestigious by matches that have become legendary, this poster will be on the program in just a month. For the occasion, we invite you to look back on the significant meetings between the two nations.
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July 14, 1979: such a long wait
If not the greatest, it is at least one of the most impressive French victories against the New Zealand All Blacks. With a patched-up team, the French achieved the feat of winning in New Zealand for the first time in their history (24-19). After seven matches lost on the island, including one, the French finally won. On the day of our country’s national holiday, the XV of France improved a little more on July 14, 1979. In the wake of captain Jean-Pierre Rives, the Blues offered an attractive and effective game. However, the squad is reshuffled: Daniel Dubroca made his debut as a right pillar, the centers Codorniou and Mesny experienced their second selection after the first test in Christchurch. The men wearing the rooster jersey lead 24-10. Second row Francis Haget declared after the match: “My best memory is that after this success, we took the plane on July 15 for Tahiti. But when we found this French territory, it was still July 14. We experienced two July 14ths. “
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June 20, 1987: finalist for history
On June 20, 1987, Auckland’s Eden Park was the scene of a match for history. For the first edition of the most prestigious competition, France and New Zealand meet in the final of the World Cup. In this meeting, the Blues, riding on their incredible victory against Australia in the semi-final, hope to leave Auckland with the Webb Ellis trophy. Facing them, the All Blacks are the big favorites, supported by a melting public and talents such as John Kirwan and David Kirk. But the French, led by Serge Blanco, Philippe Sella and captain Daniel Dubroca, have not said their last word and firmly believe in the feat. This group proved throughout the tournament that they could topple mountains, like this legendary try from Blanco in the semi-final which remains etched in the memory. “I think they feared us more than we feared them” said Ondarts in 2015. However, the final will be one-sided. From the start of the match, the All Blacks imposed their rhythm, stifling French initiatives. The Blues are fighting, but the New Zealand machine is well oiled. At the final whistle, New Zealand won 29-9, registering its name as the first world champion in Rugby history. For France, it is a bitter defeat, but this heroic journey will be remembered.
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October 6, 2007: Time for the Dark Destroyer
That day, France looked New Zealand straight in the eye. Whether during a fiery haka, which has become legendary, or during an exceptional match, which has become legendary, the French offered a rare opposition to the All Blacks during this quarter-final of the 2007 World Cup. Overmotivated, the men of Bernard Laporte nevertheless conceded the first try of the game, scored by Luke McAlister. Trailing by ten points, the French revolted in the wake of Thierry Dusautoir, who became the Dark Destroyer during this match. Author of a try and above all 38 tackles, the third line was immense and allowed his team to stay afloat. Heroically, the Blues scored one last try thanks to Yannick Jauzion, before holding the score. The feat was monumental.
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October 23, 2011: eternal regrets
Before France – South Africa 2023, it is certainly the match which traumatized the French the most with its dramaturgy. To everyone’s surprise, the French XV is in the final of the 2011 World Cup and is preparing to challenge the All Blacks, on a mission on their land. Despite the absences of Carter and Cruden, the men in black are given ultra favorites, with a team that remains impressive. However, impossible is not French and Marc Liévremont’s men more than resisted on the Auckland pitch. Guided by a decisive Thierry Dusautoir with a scored try, the Blues were in contact until the end. They ultimately fail at one point, with missed opportunities and eternal regrets. The supporters’ frustration is fueled by a feeling of injustice towards referee Craig Joubert, hated in France even today.
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October 17, 2015: the debacle
A dark day for the XV of France. Out of breath during an already very laborious World Cup in 2015, Philippe Saint-André’s Blues face the best nation in the world, New Zealand in the quarter-final. A match in which the All Blacks are scary, very scary. Whitelock, McCaw, Carter, Read, Nonu, Savea… The list goes on. Despite relative resistance in the first period, the Blues exploded in the second part of the match, conceding a total of nine tries, including a hat-trick from Julien Savea. On one of his achievements, the winger performed a crazy action, knocking three French defenders on their butts. A sequence like the match, which will be remembered as a historic slap in the face…
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September 8, 2023: fear changes sides
This is perhaps one of the only times in history that France was given favorites before a match against the All Blacks. This duel between the two nations is the opening match of the 2023 World Cup, which takes place in France. With Antoine Dupont as headliner, Fabien Galthié’s XV of France assumes its status by dominating the New Zealanders. Faced with the tests of the revelation Mark Tele’a, the French responded with achievements by Damian Penaud and Melvyn Jaminet. Thomas Ramos also did the work to inflict on the Blacks the first defeat in their history in the group stage of a Rugby World Cup. Unfortunately, New Zealand will ultimately go much further than France in this competition.
