On July 3, 1994, Pierre Berbizier’s Blues scored an anthology try during a tour of New Zealand. Guy Accoceberry and Philippe Saint-André return to this legendary action for Le Figaro.
Once upon a time, there was a time when rugby was different. It made room for modest builds and the flights were more numerous. The collars were raised and some jerseys – not as flexible as today – were tucked into the shorts. The images, however, were not as clear. The memories, however, remain intact. During the summer of 1994, the French XV of coach Pierre Berbizier played a summer tour in New Zealand. At that time, the Blues were in full doubt. Only third in the last Five Nations Tournament the same year and beaten by modest Canadians (18-16) three weeks earlier, the Tricolores knew that the step would be immense compared to the best in the world rugby landscape.
In Christchurch – the largest city on the South Island with its British colonial past – on June 26, the French XV still managed to win the first test match (8-22) and reached a final against these same New Zealanders…
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