Abdellatif Benazi: This fifteenth of France has the potential to be world champion
On June 17, 1995, Abdellatif Benazi considered scoring the winning try in the World Cup semi-final against the Springboks, but the referee refused. South Africa won its first World Cup on home soil just days later in a historic political context. 27 years later, Abdellatif Benazi’s work remains legendary. The former captain of the XV of France and Momentum then decided to immortalize this “moment” using blockchain technology. Interview with a French hero.
Among the many highlights in your history, in your career, is that famous test of 1995. Is this the memory you’ve been told the most about, even today?
yes. Without hesitation, he is the only one who follows me. I try a little to forget him but it’s impossible. First, the memories. And context that goes far beyond sports. When I meet people, they always ask me if I had an experience or not.
Is this the strongest moment in your career?
From a sporting point of view, it’s a failure, we wanted to be world champions. Emotionally and symbolically the team is still very strong but I have the 1997 Grand Slam tournament where I have my captaincy in mind. I’m also thinking of the double win against the New Zealanders at home in 1994, the semi-final against the Blacks in 1999 where I won after being nearly 50 minutes behind. But I always saw sports as more than winning or losing and…
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