 The next three seasons saw mixed results for New Zealand , who won all their Tri @-@ Nations tests in 1997 before losing the title for the first time in 1998 . In 1998 New Zealand lost all five tests in the Tri @-@ Nations and Bledisloe Cup series ( two to South Africa and three to Australia ) , the first time they had lost four tests in succession since 1949 . The following year they suffered their worst test loss , 28 – 7 to Australia in Sydney . At the 1999 World Cup later that year , the All Blacks dominated their pool , handing England a 30 – 16 defeat at Twickenham . They advanced past Scotland 30 – 18 in the quarter @-@ finals to play France at Twickenham . After New Zealand finished the first half 17 – 10 ahead , France then produced a famous half of rugby to which New Zealand had no answer , winning 43 – 31 . Hart subsequently resigned as coach and was replaced by co @-@ coaches Wayne Smith and Tony Gilbert . 
