One of the best to have ever worn the No. 13 jersey, Philippe Sella possessed incredible strength mixed with lightning foot speed.
The Frenchman was part of an era where he and his countrymen dominated Northern Hemisphere rugby with France winning or sharing the Five Nations six times.
Unfortunately for Sella, the team couldn’t quite replicate the success at World Cup level. In 1987 Sella helped France to the final with a famous win over the Wallabies in the semis before losing to the dominant All Blacks 29-9.
Three years later on an explosive Test tour to Australia, Sella showed just how strong he was by knocking out Peter FitzSimons. He was sent off for his efforts. According to Peter Bills’ book Inside the Lost World of Sports Journalism no one could remember Sella raising his fist in anger before the incident.
Despite numerous sendoffs and scuffles between the teams there were no hard feelings between players who attended post-game banquets together.
“People who had been hurling punches and kicking the heads of opponents were to be seen engaged in quiet, philosophical conversation while sipping a beer or glass of chardonnay,” Bills said.
Sella played International rugby until the end of the amateur era – there were less games, yet he still notched 111 caps for France in 13-years and was the first to reach the 100 milestone.
His last International was a win over England to claim third place at the 1995 World Cup, exacting some revenge after the Poms had knocked France out of the tournament in the 1991 semi-final.
The Roar’s World Cup Countdown:
30. Grant Fox’s record 30 conversions from the 1987 World Cup
29. All Blacks claim the 1987 World Cup, 29-9
28. Tonga stun Italy with Sateki Tuipulotu’s boot, winning 28-25
27. 27 per cent of tries came from scrums in 2003 with Canada showing the value of the set piece
26. David Pocock made 26 tackles in a fantastic performance against South Africa in the 2011 quarter-finals
25. South Africa’s 25 wins from 29 matches at the World Cup
24. Wales scores 24 points in the first half against New Zealand but still lose in 2003
23. Nick Farr-Jones 23 wins as Australian captain including an historic 1991 World Cup win against England
22. The Wallabies notch a cricket score with 22 tries in a 142-0 thumping of Namibia in 2003
21. Georgia’s David Dadunashvili becomes the youngest (21) to start at hooker in a World Cup match
20. The first World Cup classic finishes 20-all between Scotland and France in 1987
19. 19-year-old George North becomes youngest World Cup try scorer in 2011
18. Since their first and only win Japan has gone 18-straight World Cup games without victory
17. New Zealand coaching staff present 17 alleged refereeing errors to explain 2007 loss
16. George Gregan and Jason Leonard involved in 16 wins each at World Cup level
15. Jonah Lomu’s 15 tries in 11 matches
14. Jonny Wilkinson’s 14 World Cup drop goals including his most famous one in England’s 20-17 win over the Wallabies
13. Philippe Sella’s fantastic career at No.13 with 13 starts for France at Rugby World Cups
12. The Wallabies record 12-game winning streak from 1999 to 2003
11. Fiji win 11 out of 11 lineouts against Wales during a stunning 38-34 win in 2007
10. David Campese’s 10 tries for the Wallabies at Rugby World Cups
9. Matt Burke’s 9 points per game average after an amazing 1999 tournament
8. Diego Ormaechea, at age 40, was the oldest number 8 to play at a World Cup
7. No.7 Michael Jones scores the first ever World Cup try
6. Marc Ellis’ record six tries in a match against Japan
5. Jannie de Beer’s five drop goals in a match against England in the 1999 quarter-finals
4. Michael Lynagh’s four tries in World Cup matches including his match-winner against Ireland
3. Cardiff has hosted World Cup matches for three tournaments and will make it a record four in 2015
2. Christophe Lamaison’s two drop goals in semi-final blinder
1. The Webb Ellis Cup.
Muzzo
Guest
Yep Harry, but in the game back in 85 Buck Shelford actually lost a testicle, went off, had it stitched up, went back on, & in the second half was kicked in the mouth, lost a couple of teeth, & was taken off in a very concussed condition. To this day he still doesn't remember to much of the second half of that particular game.
Harry Jones
Expert
Nuts in all nations. Jannie told Pocock he'd snap his neck in a game; not sure how that's really different from how rucks get cleared anyway
Muzzo
Guest
Yep the french, it was exactly what I was referring to, in regards to Buck. He was in his time, one of the great All Black captains, who could, kick his team into gear, so to say, when it was required. That particular game, the Battle of Nantes, was proven, & even admitted, by certain personal, that a few of the French players were on drugs. There was a fairly big inquiry into that aspect of the game, by rugby's ruling body, in which they proceeded to "clean the game up". !985, it was from memory. Cheers
Pete
Guest
Hmmm I wonder why they were a bit nutty in the 80's... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/france/11433808/France-drug-scandal-no-surprise-I-knew-they-were-on-something-says-former-All-Black-Wayne-Buck-Shelford.html
riddler
Guest
mick.. i was very fortunate way back in the day to be given some corporate tickets to see sarries play bath at bath.. with noddy and sella playing.. noddy dominated the play with his game management, it was almost like watching someone playing in slow motion, even in his last year he was a class above the rest.. plus being a really nice bloke off the pitch as well.. oh those were the days.. ;)
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
the french
Roar Rookie
Yes Muzzo, they do have some nut cases. They have a former captain who copped a 15 years sentence in jail for murdering his wife. The craziest man of all manage to freak out an entire english front row by declaring (during a game)that he would kill them all. Knowing the animal without doubt he was going to. He only played one game in the french national team, the officials never dared to wheel him out ever again even when he was by far the best prop in France. Today he is one of the most popular radio announcer and still a bit mad but a lot more gentle. I have to admit that i had to look up Shelford to acquaint myself with his story. Yes he seems to have got caught by the patrol in Nantes they had a bunch of crazy french forwards during that time. Lucky, Shelford was from Rotorua, I ve been there and they breed some tough stock up there....
Harry Jones
Expert
Great post.
Muzzo
Guest
The French over the years have had some great players, but they have had some "nutters", as well, to which Wayne "Buck" Shelford, could attest too.
the french
Roar Rookie
Yes noted Harry. Not many frogs in the best xv forwards and backs but you picked Phillippe. A classy player who combined strength, vision and silky skills. He played for Agen, a rural town at the foot of the pyrennees with a declining population of 30,000 people at the time but is the epythomy of Frog rugby, proud as a rooster, tough as nail and fiercely independent ... and the club of many French legends such as Albert Ferasse, Pierre Berbizier and Abdelatif Benazzi to name a few. Interestingly Sella played on at Saracens when the sport turned professional with another legend of the game Sir Michael Lynagh. I wish we could have some highlight reels of those two artists, playing tricks together.
Harry Jones
Expert
And he starts for Harry's Harriers.