From The Vaults

27 March 2017

Rugby’s Greatest Upsets Part 4 - France v New Zealand, 1999

With the advent of the Rugby World Cup in 1987 rugby union had found its greatest stage and greatest potential for upsets. The shift away from test-rugby allowed the relative minnows of the global game their shot at the big fish. But one of the greatest upsets in the tournament's history featured two international heavyweights.

New Zealand go into most Rugby World Cups as favourites. They have occupied first place in the world rankings for longer than any other side and are the only nation in the world to hold a positive win record against every rival. 1999 was no different. Featuring the likes of Reuben Thorne, Taine Randall, Chris Cullen, Tana Umaga and the irrepressible Jonah Lomu on the wing, the All Blacks had crushed England and Scotland on their way to the semi-finals.

1999 Quarter Final

France, for their part, had seen off Argentina on their way to the semis and had a strong side that included Abdelatif Benazzi, Christophe Laimaison and was led by Raphael Ibanez. Although hosted by Wales, both the tournament semi-finals would take place at Twickenham in front of a largely English crowd.

New Zealand were strong favourites but France were well respected and a win for them would not have presented an upset great enough to make this list were it not for the manner in which it unfolded.

Jonah Lomu

A tightly contested first half was lit up by a super-human drive for the try line by Jonah Lomu that, coupled with a later penalty, gave New Zealand a 17-10 half-time lead. In a performance reminiscent of his semi-final demolition job on England four years earlier Lomu scored another thundering try early in the second half to push his side into a 2 4-10 lead.

At this stage the neutral observer, of which there were many in the largely English crowd, could have been forgiven for assuming that the game was as good as over. That, however, would be to seriously underestimate the spirit and resolve of the French side and so one of game's great upsets began to take shape.

1999 Semi-Final

Two drop-goals, two penalties and a converted try from an energised fly-half Lamaison saw the French surge into the lead.

Realising that the game was afoot, the watching Twickenham faithful threw their support behind the French. Stunned by the sudden turnaround the All Blacks appeared as casual observers at the scene of an unfolding catastrophe.

A glut of New Zealand substitutions followed but it was les Bleus that scored again and then again! With 78 minutes gone France had scored 33 unanswered points and led by 43-24. The All Blacks finally rallied with a try but it was too late. The final score was 43-31 to France.

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19 December 2016

Rugby's Greatest Upsets Part One - Scotland v England, 1871

In 1870 football enthusiast and administrator Charles W Alcock arranged an international football match between Scotland and England in London. It ended in a tie so another game was arranged which England won. Scotland was incensed.

23 January 2017

Rugby's Greatest Upsets Part 2 - Wales v New Zealand, 1905

New Zealand had set down a marker of quality when defeating a tired and injury ravaged British Lions side at the tail end of their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1904.

27 February 2017

Rugby’s Greatest Upsets Part 3 – Paris Olympics, 1924

15 fifteen-a-side rugby had been included as an event at the Olympics since 1900. The founder of the Olympic movement, Pierre de Coubertin, had visited Rugby School in 1883.