Ahead of New Zealand hosting France in a three-Test series, we look back at four memorable encounters in recent memory between two of the sport’s heavyweight nations.
With both Steve Hansen and Jacques Brunel hindered by injury absences to their squads, the renewal of their rivalry also takes on greater significance with next year's World Cup in Japan drawing nearer.
Will France produce an impressive series on the road after an encouraging Six Nations campaign under new leadership, or will the All Blacks underline their dominance on home soil? All the matches are live on Sky Sports Action.
1999 - Twickenham: France 43-31 New Zealand (World Cup semi-final)
France produced the match of their lives in an all-time classic at Twickenham to knock out the pre-tournament favourites, who had a rampaging Jonah Lomu in full flight and instilling fear.
However it was Christophe Lamaison, only brought into the starting fold after a late injury to Thomas Castaignede, who produced a match-defining performance, contributing a colossal 28-point haul as Les Bleus stunned the rugby fraternity.
The fly-half set out the stall for the pulsating game as he carved through the New Zealand defence early but powerhouse winger Lomu scored two tries to help the All Blacks build what appeared to be a seemingly impregnable 14-point lead at half-time.
What occurred in the second half was nothing short of extraordinary. From 24-10 down on the scoreboard, Lamaison hit two drop-goals and penalties in quickfire time to bring the underdogs within two points. Tries by Christophe Dominici and Richard Dourthe then put France in the ascendancy.
Philippe Bernat-Salles added a further score after running from his own 22 before a late consolation effort by Jeff Wilson.
2007 - Cardiff: New Zealand 18-20 France (World Cup quarter-final)
France were hosts in 2007, but after finishing second in their pool met a Graham Henry-led All Blacks side, who travelled to Cardiff (the Welsh capital charged with hosting four matches) in imperious form.
New Zealand were undoubted favourites but France were undeterred by the challenge - that was clear to see by staring down the haka from the halfway line in the French tricolour.
There were other mind games pre-match by the hosts, including insisting New Zealand should wear their second strip of grey after winning the toss for which colour to wear.
The game started favourably for the All Blacks, with France captain Serge Betsen forced off through concussion and a converted Luke McAlister try, along with two Dan Carter penalties, putting Henry's men in command.
Lionel Beauxis managed to get France onto the scoreboard just before half-time, yet no-one could have foreseen the dramatic second half that unfolded.
The All Blacks lost McAlister to the sin-bin, with Beauxis adding three points to reduce the deficit further before an inspired Thierry Dusautoir scored France's first try, as the conversion brought the scores level.
After injuries to half-back pairing Byron Kelleher and Carter, Richie McCaw led a sustained phase of pick-and-goes, which resulted in No 8 Rodney So'oialo going over, but McAlister pushed his conversion attempt to the right of the sticks.
Trailing by five points, a dart from Damien Traille, enabled replacement Frederic Michalak - courtesy of a clear forward pass - to charge down the left, with Yannick Jauzion crossing the whitewash for the decisive converted try.
2009 - Dunedin: New Zealand 22-27 France (Summer Test series)
The two sides renewed acquaintances for the first time since 2007 and despite the Test lacking in significance in comparison to a World Cup, both sides produced another compelling contest.
France, under Marc Lievremont, mixed great defensive commitment, accurate goal kicking and precision in attack to outscore their hosts by three tries to two to record their first victory on Kiwi soil for 25 years.
After both sides traded early penalties through Julien Dupuy and Stephen Donald, the depleted All Blacks side fell behind as Francois Trinh-Duc finished a good team move.
France's lead was extended through William Servat as he burrowed over for an opportune close-range try, following direct running from Maxime Medard.
But Donald's accuracy at goal coupled with Liam Messam's maiden international try in the corner, enabled the hosts to draw level at 17-17.
The influential Medard benefited from an intercept to race 60 metres and score under the posts as France built a 10-point lead in the final 10 minutes of the match.
Centre Ma'a Nonu halved the deficit with five minutes to spare and caused an anxious finale but France produced an intelligent end to the match, as they pinned New Zealand into their own half.
2011 - Auckland: New Zealand 8-7 France (World Cup final)
New Zealand, who had comprehensively beaten Les Bleus in the pool stage, appeared unstoppable in their quest to be crowned world champions for the first time in 24 years.
Much of the pre-match build-up had focused on their pulsating contest in Cardiff four years previously, with the All Blacks insisting they had exercised their demons.
Once again, France stoked the home crowd with an arrow formation, as the hosts performed the haka, before they walked slowly beyond halfway.
The early stages were littered with errors from both teams but veteran prop Tony Woodcock benefited from space after a good lineout move to run over for the first score, only for a nervous Piri Weepu to skew the conversion wide.
After referee Wayne Barnes had angered the All Blacks in Cardiff in 2007, this time it was the French who complained as Craig Joubert penalised them harshly at scrum and breakdown.
As France grew into the contest, aided by Weepu's inaccuracy from the tee, fly-half Aaron Cruden was carried off through injury, with emergency call-up Donald brought onto the field. Donald would quickly extend the All Blacks' lead thanks to a simple penalty.
Trinh-Duc's run through the All Blacks' defensive line eventually came to Dusautoir, who went over for a converted score to reduce the gap to one point. Despite evident fragility, the All Blacks would desperately hold on to ensure history was created.
Watch live coverage of the three-Test series, live on Sky Sports Action, with the first Test on June 9 from 8am.