After an unexpected loss to Canada, France became the first Northern Hemisphere nation to win a test match series in New Zealand.

In the second test, on 3 July, New Zealand led 20–16 with three minutes of the match remaining.

As they tried to run down the clock, Philippe Saint-André started a move in his own 22 which, 65 seconds later, ended with Jean-Luc Sadourny crossing the New Zealand line to score what became known as l'essai du bout du monde (the try from the end of the world), giving them a 23–20 victory.

[1] It was the first time a side from a northern hemisphere nation had won a test series against the All Blacks.

[2] Backs Sebastien Viars Jean-Luc Sadourny Emile Ntamack Philippe Saint-Andre Laurent Leflamand William Techoueyres Philippe Sella Philippe Carbonneau Yann Delaigue Thierry Lacroix Christophe Deylaud Benoit Bellot Pierre Montlaur Guy Accoceberry Alain Macabiau Forwards Sylvain Dispagne Leon Loppy Xavier Blond Marc Cecillon Abdelatif Benazzi Jean-Francois Tordo Philippe Benetton Olivier Brouzet Olivier Roumat Olivier Merle Christian Califano Laurent Benezech Laurent Seigne Louis Armary Jean-Michel Gonzalez Stephen Jones, ed.