New Zealand v France, Rugby World Cup, September 24
All Blacks face RWC demons
Scrum.com
September 18, 2011
France winger Philippe Bernat-Salles celebrates victory over New Zealand in 1999 © Getty Images
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New Zealand's aspirations of lifting the Webb Ellis trophy for a second time will come under severe scrutiny against chief World Cup tormentors France in Auckland on Saturday . After beating Les Blues 29-9 in Auckland to win the inaugural World Cup final in 1987, the All Blacks have twice lost to France in dramatic circumstances at the global showpiece.

In one of the greatest Rugby World Cup matches France shocked overwhelming favourites New Zealand in the semi-final of the 1999 World Cup. The All Blacks were leading 24-10 early in the second-half but France somehow found an inspired display to come from behind and eventually win 43-31 at Twickenham.

Eight years later New Zealand were again overwhelming favourites when the two sides met in the quarter-final showdown in Cardiff. But again the French ambushed the tournament favourites with a controversial later try from Yannick Jauzion - referee Wayne Barnes failing to spot a forward pass in the build-up to the try - giving France a 20-18 victory.

During the 2003 tournament New Zealand recorded a convincing 40-13 victory over the French in the Pool stages of the tournament, which means the teams head into Saturday's fixture level on two wins each at World Cups. However, history has taught New Zealand to fear the French, and their unpredictable nature.

New Zealand v France

All-time record: Played 49; France won 12; New Zealand won 36; One drawn match

Biggest winning margins: NZ: 51, (Wellington, 2007) Fra: 14 (Christchurch, 1994)

Highest score: NZ: 61 (61-10, Wellington, 2007) Fra: 43 (43-31, Cardiff, 1999)

Most tries: NZ: 9 (61-10, Wellington, 2007); Fra: 4 (43-31, Cardiff, 1999)

Most points (individual): NZ: 106 Dan Carter; Fra: 71 Christophe Lamaison

Most tries (individual): NZ: 8 Joe Rokocoko ; Fra: 3 Serge Blanco and Philippe Saint-Andre

Previous World Cup meetings: Four

Click Here for France's full Test record courtesy of Statsguru

Click Here for New Zealand's full Test record courtesy of Statsguru

Click Here for a full record of all France v New Zealand matches courtesy of Statsguru

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