A generation of New Zealand fans will never have experienced defeat in Auckland. But many others will still remember 1994 well, as Jones does.
“It was Jonah Lomu’s first series for the All Blacks,” he recalled. “We had lost the week before at Lancaster Park. So this game was a big, big deal.”
Down at half-time, the All Blacks were ahead with minutes to go and on the verge of squaring the series. Jones himself won a line-out and New Zealand cleared into French territory.
“Stephen Bachop kicked it long. And all hell exploded,” Jones said.
“Philippe Saint-Andre just went on a caper, went through three or four players, and then: bang, bang, bang.”
Deylaud. Benazzi. Ntamack. Cabannes. Back to Deylaud. Sadourny finishing off a try for the ages. The fortress had been stormed with – fittingly – one of the most iconic scores in rugby history.
“One of the all-time great tries,” declared Kiwi commentator Keith Quinn, a statement as true three decades on as it was in the moment.
“We should have sealed it, we didn’t, and they were brilliant,” Jones says.
“I didn’t lose that often in an All Blacks jersey, but the ones I did live in my head even until today.
“Sometimes no matter how desperate you are, how committed you are, how united you are, rugby beats you.”
A few teams have come close since that day. South Africa in 1994 and the British and Irish Lions in 2017 managed credible draws.
The French in the Rugby World Cup final of 2011 couldn’t have done too much more, while three years later England themselves had a shot at history before succumbing late on.
Most though, have been blown away. Australia have tried and failed 20 times.
