Paris (AFP)
The French will find New Zealanders they know well in the group stage of the 2023 World Cup. Confrontations from which they most often emerged defeated but which have earned them some memorable exploits.
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The pioneers of 1979
For French rugby players, moving to New Zealand in summer has long looked like the Stations of the Cross.
The 1979 tour started on the same basis until the second game, on July 14 at Eden Park in Auckland.
After two defeats, the French, led by Jean-Pierre Rives, recover against the armada of Blacks.
In front of the break, the Blues push to accentuate their advantage and score four tries before resisting in the last moments, to finally win (24-19).
A first historic victory in New Zealand, worthily celebrated the next day in Tahiti, where, through the jet lag mechanism, the 15 heroes were able to experience a second consecutive July 14.
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The swept away hopes of 1987
For the first World Cup in history, the French return to Eden Park.
Overwhelmed by the firepower of New Zealand, the men of coach Jacques Fouroux try to resist in the first half but end up cracking after the break, before Pierre Berbizier scores a try for the honor.
They lose 29-9 and the All Blacks become the first rugby world champions.
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The End of the World 1994 essay
To win their first tour in history with the legendary All Blacks, the French had to score.
After winning in Christchurch, return to Eden Park for a second meeting on July 3, 1994. At the end of a game where the two teams surrender, the XV of France is led 20-16.
French captain Philippe Saint-André sounds the charge one minute from the siren.
Passes after contact and crossings are linked and 80 meters further, Jean-Luc Sadourny ends up flattening a ball passed into the hands of nine blue players.
A "test from the end of the world" for a 23-20 victory which ends the only tour won by the French in New Zealand.
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The incredible half of 1999
Blacks and French meet at Twickenham, at the gates of the 1999 World Cup final. The two teams engage in high level opposition, until Jonah Lomu pierces the French defense to score two tries.
The XV of France reacted first with the boot of Christophe Lamaison then by tests borrowed from + French Flair + signed Dominici, Dourthe and Bernat-Salles.
The final score, 43-31, shows the intensity of a meeting in the pantheon of the World Cup.
The French will lose in the final against Australia.
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The successful challenge of 2007
For the first World Cup in France, the Blues finish 2nd in their group and must therefore "receive" the Blacks in Cardiff, where some matches are relocated.
But the French immediately choose to challenge the New Zealanders: dressed in blue, white and red t-shirts, they stand one meter from their opponents during the haka.
The rest is an extension of this challenge.
Led 13-3 at the break, the French rebelled in the wake of Thierry Dusautoir in crazy tackle mode, which punctuated his capital performance with a test.
Yannick Jauzion scored the try to win 10 minutes from time, transformed by Elissalde, who sent France to the semi-finals, where she would be beaten by England.
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The blue frustration of 2011
In their den in Eden Park, the New Zealanders finally want to win a second world title.
Facing them, the French innovate during the haka and form a V, advancing towards the Blacks.
As in 2007, a test by Dusautoir allows the French to return to the match 30 minutes from the end (8-7) but the All Blacks do not crack and win a second Webb Ellis trophy, at home.
The disappointment is immense for Marc Lièvremont and his players, who have never seemed so close to the planetary title.
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The 2015 humiliation
Before facing New Zealand in Cardiff in the quarterfinals of the 2015 World Cup, the French see themselves doing it again in 2007. But this time, the march is too high.
The Blues are dominated in all areas of the game and never compete with the Blacks of the untenable Julian Savea who will become world champions for the third time two weeks later.
France concedes nine tries for a terrible 62-13, the heaviest defeat in history for the French in the World Cup.
© 2020 AFP