2. Christophe Dominici Turns the Tide Against Jonah Lomu
France 43 – 31 New Zealand: 1999 Rugby World Cup Semi-Final (Twickenham Stadium, London)
The unforgiving bounce of the rugby ball can make or break an attacking opportunity, with so many chances squandered after an awkward pop-up leads to a spilt ball. However, no such mistake was made by the late, great French winger Christophe Dominici, in the semi-final of the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
Just before the hour mark, the scores were poised at 24-22 in favour of the All Blacks, when the now Head Coach of Les Blues, Fabien Galthie, sent a box kick down-field, and deep into All Blacks territory. Dominici was the sole Frenchman who gave chase, when the ball bounced out of the path of covering New Zealand fullback Jeff Wilson. Dominici collected the ball in an excellent showing of skill, before outpacing All Blacks captain Taine Randell on his way through to score.
This try turned the momentum of the match, after the first half was dominated by Jonah Lomu’s line-breaking carries. The powerful winger had scored both of New Zealand’s tries earlier in the semi-final, and looked set to take his side through to the 1999 Rugby World Cup’s pinnacle stage. Yet it was Lomu’s opposite man who turned the tide, with Dominici re-igniting France’s fire to put Les Bleus in front.
What followed was one way traffic for France, as the All Blacks failed to battle back after going behind. France followed up shortly after with a try from outside centre Richard Dourthe, before right-winger Phillippe Bernat-Salles built an unobtainable lead in the matches’ closing moments. Dominici sadly passed away in 2020, and he will in no doubt be remembered for scoring the all-important try, which took the wind out the sails from another unforgettable legend of the game, in the late, great Jonah Lomu.
3. Joe Rokocoko Doubles Up As All Blacks Run Roughshod Over France
New Zealand 61 – 10 France: 2007 Rugby World Cup Warm-Up Match (Westpac Stadium, Wellington)
France have historically prided themselves of attacking with a ‘jouer’ flair, and holding firm with strong rear-guard defence. However, Les Bleus came undone in the run-up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup, during their two-match series against the All Blacks, that French fans have been trying to erase from memory.
After an embarrassing 42-11 defeat in the opening test, it could not seem possible for things to get any worse for France in the second fixture a week later. However, things undoubtedly went further downhill for Les Bleus, with Head Coach Bernard Laporte close to the firing line just four months away from the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The second test saw France again soundly beaten by the All Blacks, with Joe Rokocoko taking the headlines for a first half brace.
In a performance that optimised the then pitfall of French rugby, Rokocoko was able to cruise in for two tries in the first 40 minutes, and helped build a staggering 30-3 lead at half-time. The All Blacks hit top gear, with nine total tries shutting out France for what still stands as the biggest margin of victory between the two opponents. The additional tries came from Anton Oliver, Byron Kelleher, Leon MacDonald, Isaia Toeava, Jerry Collins, Kevin Mealamu and Nick Evans.
The All Blacks set the tone for their 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign, which saw them reach top spot in Pool C. Comfortable wins over Italy, Romania, Portugal and Scotland poised little threat, as the All Blacks were catapulted into the quarter-finals, for a re-union against a struggling France. However, all would not go to plan when New Zealand donned the now infamous grey kit…