France vs Ireland
A century-old rivalry between the All Blacks and France, featuring historic firsts, World Cup finals, and France's status as New Zealand's most successful Northern Hemisphere opponent.
The national rugby union teams of France and New Zealand (the All Blacks) have been playing each other for over a century. The first encounter, during the historic 1905–1906 All Blacks tour of Europe and North America, which was also France's first test, took place in Paris in January 1906 and was won by New Zealand 38–8. It was not until their third meeting, in 1954, that France secured their first win over New Zealand 3–0.
Quick Facts
- Primary all blacks rivals
- South Africa
- Australia
- England
- Wales
- Scotland
- Ireland
- France
- Argentina
- British & Irish Lions
Lore & Background
France first toured New Zealand in 1961, before any of the Home Nations, with the All Blacks winning all three tests. The All Blacks' first full tour of France was in 1977, when they won one of the two tests. France first defeated the All Blacks in New Zealand on Bastille Day 1979. France achieved a first series win in New Zealand in 1994, when they won both tests. The two teams have contested the Dave Gallaher Trophy since 2000.
Reader's Guide
The teams' World Cup history includes eight matches, the joint most for any pair of teams. They have played two tournament finals, in 1987 and 2011 (both at Eden Park and both won by New Zealand). Overall, the All Blacks have won 51 tests against France's 15, with one match drawn. The largest winning margin in a test match between the countries was a 61–10 victory to the All Blacks at Westpac Stadium in Wellington in 2007.
Did You Know?
- The most career points scored by members of either team is 92 by Andrew Mehrtens, and he also holds the record for most points in one match with 29 points.
- Despite the vastly superior win record of New Zealand, France's 15 wins against the All Blacks is more than any other Northern Hemisphere opponent has achieved.
- France are sometimes called the 'bogey' team of New Zealand, known for having inconsistent results in regular test matches, but have proven to be fierce opponents in the knockout stage of the Rugby World Cup.
- All Black campaigns in The Rugby World Cup were halted by defeats to France in 1999 and 2007, and were nearly upset again in 2011 with a very narrow 8–7 victory in the final.
More in Great Rivalries
Elsewhere in New Zealand All Blacks
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