Scholars of politics, culture, economics, and other fields talk of “The French Exception,” an apparent tendency for France to consistently show uniqueness in opposition to trends and patterns of various types across Europe and around the globe. After last weekend, it may be time to add another example of the French exception to the annals: France’s refusal to follow the pattern of New Zealand’s dominance in rugby union.
New Zealand has the top side in the world, says the International Rugby Board’s rankings formula. They won the 2008 Tri-Nations series and went undefeated in ten 2008 matches against Northern Hemisphere opponents. In their first match of 2009, the favored New Zealand All Blacks were hosting a depleted French side.
But France didn’t do what they were supposed to do this past Saturday. Instead, France went ahead and beat the mighty All Blacks 27-22.
Alone, one result like this isn’t too surprising. However, looking at a few other key France-New Zealand contests in recent memory shows an interesting pattern. In 2007, New Zealand were the World Cup favorites, but lost 20-18 to France in a quarterfinal match. That’s a little bit like 1999, when New Zealand were also the favorites but lost 43-31 to France in a semifinal match.
In addition to boosting the local arrest rate, this most recent loss has even rattled some hopes in New Zealand about the 2011 World Cup despite it being a couple of years away.
France and New Zealand square off again this Saturday. Will there be more of the “French Exception?”
Here are some highlights from last week’s win:
And some from that 2007 upset:
And from 1999:
