Rugby World Cup 2015: A potted history of NZ v France

The French team (white) advance to receive the challenge of the New Zealand All Black Haka before the 2011 Rugby World Cup final match New Zealand vs France at Eden Park. Photo / Getty Images.

The All Blacks have met France six times at the rugby World Cup with New Zealand winning four and France two. We take a close look at how each match played out.

1) 1987: New Zealand 29, France 9
Final, Eden Park - Auckland. Crowd: 48,000.

When playing during the day was all the rage, shorts were short, and the World Cup was still a kooky idea. An outstanding All Black team full of emerging greats dominated the tournament and were a cut above the rest. There was never much doubt about who would win this final, and the David Kirk-led All Blacks did it in style. Little could anyone guess what lay ahead for what has turned into one of sport's greatest rivalries.

2) 1999: France 43, New Zealand 31
Semifinal, Twickenham - London. Crowd: 73,000.

An extraordinary match, as France turned on a irresistible second half scoring blitz to scored one of rugby's greatest shocks. The All Blacks arrived at the tournament in a plane with their front row etched on the nose. They left with a giant black eye. Jonah Lomu apart, they were a decided second best. Faultless goalkicking from Christophe Lamaison saw him bag 28 points. Famous rivalry on.

3) 2003: New Zealand 40, France 13
Bronze medal match, Stadium Australia - Sydney. Crowd: 63,000.

Who cares about third? Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Keven Mealamu and Freddie Michalak are the 2015 survivors to tell this easily forgotten tale.

4) 2007: France 20, New Zealand 18
Quarter-final, Millennium Stadium - Cardiff. Crowd: 72,000.

Will the scars ever heal? The heavily favoured All Blacks were unable to turn great positions into enough points, leaving referee Wayne Barnes to cop a lot of blinkered blame. The French defence was magnificent. All Black coach Graham Henry and his cohorts survived, against all predictions, to fight another World Cup day.

5) 2011: New Zealand 37, France 17
Pool game, Eden Park - Auckland. Crowd: 61,000.

There were accusations, perhaps off the mark, that France were under-strength for the match. Richie McCaw became the first All Black to play 100 tests, the 19th man to do so since Frenchman Philippe Sella was the first in 1994. Memorable at the time, not so much down the track.

6) 2011: New Zealand 8, France 7
Final, Eden Park - Auckland. Crowd: 61,000.

And so the story goes on. The atmosphere was tense, to say the least. France, written off by many, were widely viewed as the better side. Richie McCaw was outstanding, playing on a broken foot. French captain Thierry Dusautoir was magnificent, being named man of the match. He said: "Our strategy was to resist as long as possible. Having seen the way we were playing throughout the tournament we were aware that we were not at the same level as the All Blacks. That was pretty obvious. But by this time we were sure we were mentally prepared and we were ready to make the most of the opportunity." As the two teams prepare for the 2015 quarter-final, prescient words.