In rugby union, France's national team and New Zealand's national team (known as the All Blacks) have played each other in Test rugby since 1906. The first Test between the countries on 1 January 1906, which the All Blacks won 38–8, was also France's first ever Test. They played again in 1924, and then in 1954. The 1954 match was won 3–0 by France and was their first victory over the All Blacks.
France first toured New Zealand in 1961 — before any of the Home Nations — and the All Blacks won all three Tests. The All Blacks' first ever full tour of France was in 1977, when they won both Tests. France achieved their first ever victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand on Bastille Day 1979. The teams also met at the inaugural Rugby World Cup final in 1987, which was won by the All Blacks 29–9. A first series win in New Zealand was achieved by France in 1994 when they won two Tests, and in 1999 the teams again met in the World Cup. The 1999 semi-final was hosted at Twickenham Stadium, where France overcame a 24–10 deficit to win 43–31. Since 2000 the two teams have contested the Dave Gallaher Trophy which the All Blacks won in 2000 and have never lost. They last meeting during the 2007 World Cup quarter-finals at Millennium Stadium of Cardiff which France won 20–18.
Overall the All Blacks have won 34 Tests, France 11, with one drawn. The highest victory between the countries was achieved when the All Blacks won 61–10 at Westpac Stadium in 2007. The most career points scored by members of either team is 92 by Andrew Mehrtens; he also holds the record for points in one match with 29.
France first toured New Zealand in 1961 — before any of the Home Nations — and the All Blacks won all three Tests. The All Blacks' first ever full tour of France was in 1977, when they won both Tests. France achieved their first ever victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand on Bastille Day 1979. The teams also met at the inaugural Rugby World Cup final in 1987, which was won by the All Blacks 29–9. A first series win in New Zealand was achieved by France in 1994 when they won two Tests, and in 1999 the teams again met in the World Cup. The 1999 semi-final was hosted at Twickenham Stadium, where France overcame a 24–10 deficit to win 43–31. Since 2000 the two teams have contested the Dave Gallaher Trophy which the All Blacks won in 2000 and have never lost. They last meeting during the 2007 World Cup quarter-finals at Millennium Stadium of Cardiff which France won 20–18.
Overall the All Blacks have won 34 Tests, France 11, with one drawn. The highest victory between the countries was achieved when the All Blacks won 61–10 at Westpac Stadium in 2007. The most career points scored by members of either team is 92 by Andrew Mehrtens; he also holds the record for points in one match with 29.
The All Blacks perform a haka (Māori dance) before each international match. The haka has been closely associated with New Zealand ever since a tour of New South Wales in 1884.
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