Remembering the dirty tactics that undermined the flair of the France 1999 RWC side
While there is an adage that no one remembers who came in second, France made a decent stab of proving the saying wrong in the 1999 World Cup final. Les Bleus produced a performance for the ages in the semi-final against the All Blacks the week before.
Their spellbinding display of irrepressible flair shocked the tournament favourites at Twickenham, but it was a game that was still marred by controversy with accusations emerging from the New Zealand camp of biting, gouging, head-butting and even testicle-grabbing.
To this day, the build-up to any contest between the two - particularly at a World Cup - will see the words 'filth' and 'violence' resurface.
The benefit for Australia, who were waiting for France in the final 21 years ago, was that they were well prepared for such underhanded tactics that may have distracted the All Blacks, which saw them squander a 14-point lead.
Following a tip-off from their traditionally bitter rivals, Australia coach Rod Macqueen and captain John Eales devised a plan to walk off the field if France resorted to such tactics again at the Millennium Stadium.
It may have been a hollow threat, but it was one that put referee Andre Watson on alert. Unsurprisingly, the Wallabies were met by a barrage of devious tactics by their opponents.
Hooker Mike Foley, prop Richard Harry and scrum-half George Gregan all claimed that they were gouged and despite Watson’s lectures to French captain Raphael Ibanez, the warning fell on deaf ears.
Looking back on the victory 20 years later in the build-up to the 2019 RWC, RUGBY.com.au detailed what was heard said on Watson’s microphone by Eales, who himself suffered a damaged cornea.
“I fear for my team’s safety” was one complaint to the South African official, the captain warning “if this continues, we will leave the field - we will just leave the field”.
France’s unswerving commitment to play in such a way was ultimately their undoing though as they conceded 16 penalties in total. Matt Burke kicked 21 points simply though penalties.
Australia were no saints either in this match, Watson brandished a yellow card to Eales for recklessly entering a ruck. But as is so often the case in rugby (albeit maybe not in the previous weekend’s semi-final), the most ill-disciplined side lost.
After the victory, the accusations of gouging were raised by the BBC. Eales responded: “The French are such a good side, they don’t need to play like that.” It was a typically classy response, particularly in light of how the runners-up chose to behave.
Eales’ crimson right eye as he lifted the Webb Ellis Cup aloft told the story, primarily that France could not get under the skin of the Wallabies in the same way they did against Australia’s rivals across the Tasman Sea.
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A lot of focus from some on the French handling errors, bombed tries. But how many of those chances would have been cast iron tries ? Maybe only one, the Dupont spill. But even then he might have been taken in the corner. The Mauvaka spill would almost certainly not have seen him score, he had a English defender right on him. Sure, the rest might have led to tries, but from memory, and I would really need to rewatch the game, none would have seen the man who dropped the ball score.
If Ramos had kicked 100%, France would have won, but he did not. Just on Ramos, there was one ball he ran back when I thought the decision should have been a deep return kick. He was taken in his own half, gave England a chance. Think even a penalty was conceded. Be clear though, I'm not blaming Ramos for the loss.
Thought did occur to me when Colombes came on, that the game was going to get tougher for France. For a man his size, he is a poor scrummager. He was badly exposed by the AB front row in the autumn game last year. He struggled again in this game. I would think he would out of the 23 for Dublin.
That's France. Now England. I thought they rode their luck....French poor handling...really well, stayed in the fight, as they say. Then they finished clinically. Two tries from decisions to go to the corner. And that was brave after the first of three such decision yielded nothing. They also showed a lot of character to come back from that LBB try that looked to have sealed the game for France.
Good calls from you, Nick, on the back row selection, the big ball carrying 8th man. And then the success of the finishing smaller jackaling men. And you always said you felt England had something special to bring to Twickenham.
Great read. Some great discussion. Thanks, Nick.
PS. I see OJohn, as always, manages to mention Joe Schmidt in his usual tone !!
Go to commentsMo'unga isn't really an 'All Black star'. He hasn't been in the All Blacks since 2023. He is an 'Ex All Black star'. Still an excellent player though.
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