France v New Zealand LIVE: Result and final score as All Blacks lose first ever Rugby World Cup pool game
The 2023 Rugby World Cup began with a mouth-watering contest between France and three-time champions New Zealand in Paris, and the hosts ran out convincing 27-13 winners.
France rode a wave of passionate home support, burnishing their title pretentions by prevailing in a contest of rare intensity. The defeat was the first ever in a World Cup pool match for the All Blacks, who lost skipper Sam Cane to injury just before kickoff but opened the scoring through winger Mark Telea inside two minutes.
Three penalties from fullback Thomas Ramos to one from New Zealand flyhalf Richie Mo’unga had France 9-8 ahead at the break but Telea struck again off a looping Rieko Ioane pass three minutes into the second half. Wing Damian Penaud scored a converted try in the 54th minute to put France 16-13 ahead and Ramos added another two penalties and Melvyn Jaminet crossed for another five-pointer two minutes from time.
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Follow all the reaction from France vs New Zealand below:
Latest updates from France vs New Zealand
The 2023 Rugby World Cup began with a showdown in Paris tonight
All Blacks captain Sam Cane ruled out with late injury
Try! France 0-5 New Zealand (Telea, 2 min)
Half-time: France 9-8 New Zealand
Try! France 9-13 New Zealand (Telea, 43)
Try! France 14-13 New Zealand (Penaud, 55)
Yellow card! Will Jordan, New Zealand (57)
Try! France 27-13 New Zealand (Jaminet, 78)
Full-time: France 27-13 New Zealand
France lay down Rugby World Cup marker but not how they intended
Friday 8 September 2023 22:43 , Lawrence Ostlere
Pressure can do strange things to teams. Even the best in the world can suddenly struggle to execute the most basic skills under the burden of expectation.
On a night when a raucous, febrile Stade de France crowd more than did their part, their heroes on the field often failed to do theirs – certainly in the swashbuckling, free-flowing manner we have become accustomed to over the past few years.
Yet somehow, someway, and even with the talismanic Antoine Dupont kept quiet, France emerged comfortably victorious against New Zealand. Barring some catastrophe or act of God in their remaining group games against the overmatched trio of Italy, Namibia and Uruguay, they can now safely start turning their focus to a quarter-final.
Read the full story of France’s opening night, by Luke Baker:
France lay down Rugby World Cup marker but not how they intended
Full-time: France 27-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 22:33 , Lawrence Ostlere
More from the player of the match, France’s indefatigable Gregory Alldritt:
A standout performance in a huge home victory
Grégory Alldritt is the @Mastercard #POTM winner@FranceRugby | #Priceless | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/Y2Zx8PgbFX— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 8, 2023
Match summary
Friday 8 September 2023 22:26 , Lawrence Ostlere
France rode a wave of passionate home support to beat three-times champions New Zealand 27-13 on Friday in the opening match of the 10th Rugby World Cup, burnishing their title pretentions by prevailing in a contest of rare intensity.
The defeat was the first ever in a World Cup pool match for the All Blacks, who lost skipper Sam Cane to injury just before kickoff but opened the scoring through winger Mark Telea inside two minutes.
Three penalties from fullback Thomas Ramos to one from New Zealand flyhalf Richie Mo’unga had France 9-8 ahead at the break but Telea struck again off a looping Rieko Ioane pass three minutes into the second half.
Winger Damian Penaud scored a converted try in the 54th minute to put France 16-13 ahead and Ramos added another two penalties and Melvyn Jaminet crossed for another five-pointer two minutes from time.
Full-time: France 27-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 22:17 , Lawrence Ostlere
Player of the match Gregory Alldritt: “Really, really tough game. We were expecting a hard oppoisition. I’m proud to be French tonight.”
Full-time: France 27-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 22:12 , Lawrence Ostlere
France get their home World Cup off to the perfect start with a convincing win over New Zealand. For the All Blacks, a piece of unwanted history: they have lost their first ever World Cup pool game.
Full-time: France 27-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 22:09 , Lawrence Ostlere
Melvyn Jaminet fails to add the conversion to his first international try, and a moment later the final whistle blows!
Try! France 27-13 New Zealand (Jaminet, 78)
Friday 8 September 2023 22:08 , Lawrence Ostlere
It’s France’s night! A great turnover by Arthur Vincent gives France a chance in the 22. Fickou’s little kick lands on the try line and bounces up in the air, where Melvyn Jaminet arrives right on cue and bundles over the try line.
Penalty! France 22-13 New Zealand (Ramos, 74)
Friday 8 September 2023 22:01 , Lawrence Ostlere
Thomas Ramos winds down the clock by another minute before kicking beautifully once more with a delicate draw through the posts from just inside the All Blacks’ half. New Zealand have about six minutes to save themselves from a first ever pool-game defeat.
France 19-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 22:00 , Lawrence Ostlere
72 min: Penalty to France – it’s Will Jordan once again misjudging a high kick and wiping out a French receiver. This time there’s no yellow card as it was more clumsy than reckless or dangerous, stumbling over a French leg just before the collision. France, though, get another kick at goal. It’s a long way out, but Ramos can make these look easy...
France 19-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:57 , Lawrence Ostlere
70 min: A New Zealand put-in at the scrum, and they run it from their own 22 with Barrett who tries a cheeky kick over the gain line. France retrieve it and kick back. There is a lack of flow to this game right now.
France 19-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:53 , Lawrence Ostlere
67 min: New Zealand try a clever kick to the left wing where Telea catches and runs, but he’s isolated and doesn’t release after the tackle. France tap and go from the penalty but it leads to little.
Sin bin over: Jordan is back and the All Blacks are 15 again.
Penalty! France 19-13 New Zealand (Ramos, 64)
Friday 8 September 2023 21:51 , Lawrence Ostlere
Ramos makes the kick and that’s now a six-point lead with 15 minutes to go.
France 16-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:49 , Lawrence Ostlere
63 min: New Zealand are digging in, holding on, but the pressure is telling. They concede one penalty out wide, then another more centrally, and Ramos decides he’ll have another kick at the posts.
France 16-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:47 , Lawrence Ostlere
61 min: Dupont plays a clever little grubber down the left touchline and Beauden Barrett collects it in a corner, but does well to kick and makes some metres. France keep coming though, and they are running and stretching the 14-man All Blacks.
Water break: France 16-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:43 , Lawrence Ostlere
A moment later, France have a penalty which Thomas Ramos might expect to land, albeit on an angle, but he misses by some way. A wasted chance to build some daylight on the scoreboard. The referee calls for a water break.
Yellow card! Jordan, New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:41 , Lawrence Ostlere
57 min: Will Jordan crashes into a leaping French player under a high ball and the crowd roars – Jaco Peyper has no option but to show him the yellow card, and that’s 10 minutes in the bin.
Conversion! France 16-13 New Zealand (Ramos, 56)
Friday 8 September 2023 21:38 , Lawrence Ostlere
Thomas Ramos makes the kick from the touchline and that’s a three-point advantage now for the hosts. This is fun match and we have no idea where it will go next.
Try! France 14-13 New Zealand (Penaud, 55)
Friday 8 September 2023 21:36 , Lawrence Ostlere
France have a penalty in a kickable position but they turn down what would have been a fairly simple three points for Thomas Ramos and opt to kick to the corner. Brave, and wise: they win a bit of pinball from the line-out and work the ball to the centre, then back out to the wing, and there is Penaud to score this time!
France 9-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:34 , Lawrence Ostlere
53 min: Wow! Two wonderful pieces of rugby in one moment. First Damian Penaud collects a kick with brilliant hands and goes charging towards the corner, it’s a certain try... until Richie Mo’unga comes from nowhere to dislodge the ball from his opponent’s hands with a crucial tackle. A try-saving intervention.
France 9-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:31 , Lawrence Ostlere
51 min: Beauden Barrett slices a kick from his own 22 to nowhere, relatively speaking, and France will have a line-out in All Black territory. France are considering some changes, it seems, with activity on the touchline.
France 9-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:30 , Lawrence Ostlere
49 min: The scrum is reset... and reset... Dupont tries to put in one more time but he’s sacked by Aaron Smith after retrieving the ball and is forced backwards. New Zealand turnover the ball at the next ruck and that’s fantastic defence.
France 9-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:27 , Lawrence Ostlere
47 min: France come forwards and close in on the try line when Thibaud Flament drops the ball in contact – it’s given as a knock-on by the All Blacks, interestingly, and France will have a scrum in a very promising position.
France 9-13 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:24 , Lawrence Ostlere
Richie Mo’unga misses the chance to add two extras from the left touchline.
Try! France 9-13 New Zealand (Telea, 43)
Friday 8 September 2023 21:23 , Lawrence Ostlere
New Zealand survive and then turn defence into attack from a line-out. A clever Savea kicks gets them in behind the French line and they work out to the left wing with a huge long pass where Telea is there to finish off in the corner, just as he did at the start of the first half!
Kick-off! France 9-8 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:20 , Lawrence Ostlere
France kick off, claim the high ball and immediately go on the attack...
Half-time: France 9-8 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:13 , Lawrence Ostlere
Mark Telea put New Zealand in front after only 93 seconds in a phenomenal start by the All Blacks, but Thomas Ramos’s kicking range makes France threatening from almost anywhere on the field and his three penalties have brought them back into the game, and the lead.
You sense this game is going to come down to some fine margins and perhaps a referee’s decision here or there. Replacements will be key in this heat, too.
Half-time: France 9-8 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:04 , Lawrence Ostlere
Ramos deliberately dabs the ball off the pitch to bring up the half-time whistle. France lead by a single point at the break.
France 9-8 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:03 , Lawrence Ostlere
39 min: Dupont hangs a high kick into the New Zealand half and the All Blacks come back with a fast flowing move across field, making good inroads. They break into the 22 and France need to dig in here as wave after wave of New Zealand ball-carriers charge, but finally Codie Taylor throws the ball off field sloppily, and the hosts survive.
France 9-8 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 21:00 , Lawrence Ostlere
36 min: Both teams look a little weary after a high-tempo half in stifling heat. We are in the midst of a kicking contest which suggests both teams might be happy with this score at the break.
France 9-8 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 20:57 , Lawrence Ostlere
33 min: France work through the phases and then Dupont throws it to the blindside. There Whitelock concedes a penalty at the breakdown, and Ramos will have another kick at goal. It’s wide, just beyond the 22... and he pulls it wide! A rare miss from one of the best in the world off the tee.
France 9-8 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 20:54 , Lawrence Ostlere
31 min: New Zealand flow forwards but drop the ball and France kick upfield. It creates an entertaining drag race down the touchline between Dupont and Barrett, which the Kiwi just wins to knock it out for a France line-out in the All Black half.
Penalty! France 9-8 New Zealand (Ramos, 29)
Friday 8 September 2023 20:51 , Lawrence Ostlere
France are pinged for creeping on the restart, but they dominate the subsequent New Zealand scrum and celebrate fiercely as Jaco Peyper calls a penalty in their favour. Ramos kicks from the centre spot, beautifully.
Water break: France 6-8 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 20:48 , Lawrence Ostlere
The referee Jaco Peyper calls for a water break – it is still 28C in Paris even at 9.30pm. It’s been good fun so far after that thrilling start by New Zealand, and a case of two well-matched, high-quality sides going at each other.
Penalty! France 6-8 New Zealand (Mo’unga, 25)
Friday 8 September 2023 20:46 , Lawrence Ostlere
That pressure ends in a penalty against France hooker Peato Mauvaka at the breakdown, and Mo’unga makes the simple kick.
France 6-5 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 20:44 , Lawrence Ostlere
21 min: New Zealand quickly have the chance to respond with a scrum on France’s 22. They work it across the back line and then the forwards take charge, with Scott Barrett crashing towards the line. France resist doggedly, but the pressure is growing...
Penalty! France 6-5 New Zealand (Ramos, 19)
Friday 8 September 2023 20:41 , Lawrence Ostlere
Thomas Ramos takes on a penalty from the halfway line and makes it look easy. France lead.
France 3-5 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 20:38 , Lawrence Ostlere
16 min: A long Barrett kick goes deep into French territory but they work a clever short line-out and surge upfield via replacement hooker Peato Mauvaka – that was Dupont’s brainchild and it worked brilliantly. Mauvaka runs to halfway and then kicks to the corner, but New Zealand are able to avoid pressure.
France 3-5 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 20:34 , Lawrence Ostlere
14 min: Another kicking duel ends with Thomas Ramos finding touch just inside the New Zealand half. Both sides are being cautious with their natural running game so far.
France 3-5 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 20:33 , Lawrence Ostlere
12 min: Julien Marchand trudges off with an injury – he looks devastated, understandably so. What a stage to have to leave. Peato Mauvaka replaces him at hooker.
France 3-5 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 20:32 , Lawrence Ostlere
10 min: France win the New Zealand line-out and go through a few phases, but a knock-on hands the All Blacks a scrum on their own 10-yard line. The French pack are penalised for driving too early, and that’s a free-kick to New Zealand.
France 3-5 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 20:29 , Lawrence Ostlere
7 min: France have a scrum 10 yards inside the All Blacks half, and an exchange of kicking follows. It ends with Matthieu Jalibert booting into touch for a New Zealand line-out near the halfway line.
Penalty! France 3-5 New Zealand (Ramos, 4)
Friday 8 September 2023 20:27 , Lawrence Ostlere
France don’t take long to hit back. Full-back Thomas Ramos makes a relatively simple kick from the 22, and the deficit is quickly reduced to two points.
France 0-5 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 20:24 , Lawrence Ostlere
The conversion by Richie Mo’unga misses the target, but what a breathtaking start.
Try! France 0-5 New Zealand (Telea, 2 min)
Friday 8 September 2023 20:22 , Lawrence Ostlere
A frenetic start! The All Blacks break through the centre of the pitch with Rieko Ioane and pin France back on to their own try line. Barrett then turns and puts a typically pinpoint kick into the left corner where Mark Telea is on hand to take a simple catch and dot down for the first try of the World Cup, with only 90 seconds on the clock.
Kick-off! France 0-0 New Zealand
Friday 8 September 2023 20:20 , Lawrence Ostlere
Beauden Barrett kicks deep and the 2023 Rugby World Cup is under way. New Zealand won the toss, by the way, and chose to wear black. France are in white.
France vs New Zealand – Rugby World Cup LIVE
Friday 8 September 2023 20:17 , Lawrence Ostlere
Now for the Haka... France stand in a line, arms draped over each other’s shoulders, and front up. The whole stadium falls silent.
France vs New Zealand – Rugby World Cup LIVE
Friday 8 September 2023 20:17 , Luke Baker
The anthems are done. That rendition of La Marseillaise was spine-tingling. The crowd completely drowning out the choir. Incredible
France vs New Zealand – Rugby World Cup LIVE
Friday 8 September 2023 20:16 , Luke Baker
The anthems are done. That rendition of La Marseillaise was spine-tingling. The crowd completely drowning out the choir. Incredible
France vs New Zealand – Rugby World Cup LIVE
Friday 8 September 2023 20:08 , Lawrence Ostlere
Bryan Habana, speaking on ITV: “I believe this is a French team that is much classier, and much more consistent, [than previous years] and can put something special together out on the field.”
Former All Blacks hooker Sean Fitzpatrick: “France are well organised, well coached, they’re impressive. The Haka won’t affect them, they’ll accept that challenge.”
What is the TMO Bunker?
Friday 8 September 2023 20:02 , Lawrence Ostlere
The 2023 Rugby World Cup will see a revamped foul play process in place, with the introduction of the “TMO bunker” system at the tournament for the first time.
The introduction follows a number of World Rugby trials during the course of the last year, including the Summer Nations Series and Rugby Championship.
The “bunker” system is designed to improve accuracy of decision making and avoid significant disruptions to the flow of games, and has already been utilised in a couple of high profile moments ahead of the World Cup.
England captain Owen Farrell’s sending off against Wales at Twickenham was awarded after the on-field referee, Nika Amashukeli, placed the incident on review.
Full story:
What is the TMO Bunker and how will it work at the Rugby World Cup?
France vs New Zealand – Rugby World Cup LIVE
Friday 8 September 2023 19:57 , Lawrence Ostlere
Only 20 minutes to go until kick-off...
France assistant coach Raphael Ibanez speaks
Friday 8 September 2023 19:47 , Lawrence Ostlere
“It’s an amazing feeling. We prepare the team for four years for this game and we couldn’t dream for a better start against a fantastic team. They’ll be up there in terms of intensity, skills – we know it’s a great team.”
Breaking: New Zealand captain Sam Cane ruled out
Friday 8 September 2023 19:41 , Lawrence Ostlere
A huge blow to the All Blacks so close to the start of the game: captain Sam Cane has been ruled out with a late injury. Dalton Papali'i replaces him at flanker.
Team News: New Zealand captain Sam Cane is a late withdrawal for tonight’s Rugby World Cup opener with France.
Dalton Papali'i will switch to seven, with Tupou Vaa'i moving into the starting XV.
Ardie Savea will take over captaincy for the evening.#RWC2023 | #FRAvNZL— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 8, 2023
World Rugby rankings: Which team is top ahead of World Cup?
Friday 8 September 2023 19:39 , Lawrence Ostlere
Take a look at our ratings ahead of the tournament...
Two decades on from England’s triumph in 2003, both the hosts France and Ireland will harbour real hope of adding a second northern hemisphere nation’s name to the Webb Ellis Cup.
The two are part of a lead quartet that have distanced themselves at the top of the World Rugby rankings ahead of the tournament. England, Wales and Australia, meanwhile, have fallen down after struggling to hit form so far in 2023.
Rugby World Cup power rankings: Rating every nation’s chances ahead of the tournament
Why this Rugby World Cup feels different for the vulnerable All Blacks
Friday 8 September 2023 19:35 , Lawrence Ostlere
Can New Zealand find their best form in France? It’s a Rugby World Cup and New Zealand are among the favourites with the bookies – on the surface, you’d say that some things never change. But this time, it feels different.
Read our full preview of the All Blacks, by Luke Baker:
Why this Rugby World Cup feels different for the vulnerable All Blacks
President Macron booed before World Cup opener
Friday 8 September 2023 19:31 , Lawrence Ostlere
President Marcon is heavily booed as he takes the stage.
“I wish you all a fantastic World Cup in France,” he says, “full of courage and panache... The time has come. I now declare the Rugby World Cup open!”
His speech ends with loud cheers around the Stade de France.
World Rugby chief Bill Beaumont speaks
Friday 8 September 2023 19:27 , Lawrence Ostlere
“We know that you will be magnificent hosts in the coming weeks, in stadia, in your villages, your towns, your cities, and in your hearts....”
The rest of his words are mostly drowned out by a hearty rendition of La Marseillaise from the crowd. I daresay a speech from a sporting administrator tends to kill the pre-match buzz somewhat. Up next, President Macron...
Rugby World Cup opening ceremony under way
Friday 8 September 2023 19:22 , Lawrence Ostlere
There is now a giant Eiffel Tower in the centre of the field as the actors and dancers make their way off to the side to gee up the crowd. It’s all been a bit mad but in fairness, the Stade de France is pumping. This is going to be unforgettable rugby match, when it eventually breaks out.
Rugby World Cup opening ceremony under way
Friday 8 September 2023 19:15 , Lawrence Ostlere
Some images from this... eye-catching... opening ceremony:
France vs New Zealand: Is Sam Cane injured?
Friday 8 September 2023 19:15 , Lawrence Ostlere
Some potential team news to keep an eye on, from New Zealand Herland reporter Liam Napier – as yet unconfirmed, but it would be a big blow to New Zealand if it’s true that their captain, flanker Sam Cane, is injured.
Hearing whispers All Blacks captain Sam Cane may be out of opening game after picking up an injury in the captain’s run #FRAvNZL
— Liam Napier (@liamnapiernz) September 8, 2023
Rugby World Cup opening ceremony under way
Friday 8 September 2023 19:10 , Lawrence Ostlere
The World Cup’s opening ceremony is under way on the pitch at the Stade de France, and it’s not exactly Les Misérables. There’s a lot of people running around a fictional village to accordion music. One man is a baker. Another is meant to be a chicken, I think. A woman in a pink dress is dancing.
More as we get it.
Ardie Savea: All Blacks star looking to guide New Zealand back to the summit
Friday 8 September 2023 19:09 , Lawrence Ostlere
New Zealand’s hopes of a famous hat trick of Rugby World Cup wins were dashed in 2019 when an imperious England swept them aside with a 19-7 win in the semi-finals.
Four years on, and the All Blacks have stooped to fourth in the world rankings, lowly by their own high expectations, and suffered a demoralising 35-7 thrashing at the hands of defending champions South Africa in a pre-World Cup warm-up at Twickenham.
Despite that, they head to France amongst the favourites and eyeing up a return to the summit of world rugby. To do so, they will have to rely on the experience and capabilities of some of their star players. Few will be more important to that effort than the commanding back row star, Ardie Savea.
Ardie Savea: All Blacks star looking to guide New Zealand back to the summit
Bastien Chalureau: France’s controversial lock at the heart of World Cup storm
Friday 8 September 2023 19:06 , Lawrence Ostlere
Just days before the big launch of the tournament, the national team was dragged into a racism scandal.
Lock Bastien Chalureau denied accusations he is racist during an emotional press conference following his controversial call-up for the World Cup, with the player appealing against a suspended six-month prison sentence for a racially motivated attack in 2020.
Here’s more on a man in the spotlight:
Meet Bastien Chalureau - France’s controversial lock to watch at the Rugby World Cup
Gregory Alldritt: The forward who can power France to Rugby World Cup glory
Friday 8 September 2023 19:03 , Lawrence Ostlere
With the Rugby World Cup taking place in France, the host nation are amongst the favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time in their country’s history.
If France are to achieve such a feat, they will have to rely on the individual quality of several key players including captain Antoine Dupont and commanding number eight, Gregory Alldritt.
Alldritt has few chinks in the armour and could claim to be the best number eight in the game. The 26-year-old La Rochelle back row links beautifully with scrum-half Dupont and can shred defences with his power in the carry, smart offloads and acceleration.
Will Jordan: The All Blacks try-scoring machine set for World Cup debut
Friday 8 September 2023 18:58 , Lawrence Ostlere
As New Zealand head to France for the Rugby World Cup, they have one task on their mind. Win back to the World Cup which evaded them in 2019. The All Blacks had won the previous two – in 2011 and 2015 – but fell short to England in the semi-finals in Japan.
Four years on, a new squad with fresh faces has emerged, none more exciting than the prolific Will Jordan. The 25-year-old has endured his fair share of injury troubles leading into the tournament but looks primed to make his mark on the grandest stage.
Will Jordan: All Blacks’ try-scoring machine set for World Cup debut
France vs New Zealand: The key players to watch
Friday 8 September 2023 18:56 , Lawrence Ostlere
Let’s take a closer look now at some of the key players on the field tonight, starting with New Zealand wing Will Jordan...
France vs New Zealand: Team news
Friday 8 September 2023 18:50 , Lawrence Ostlere
France are without Jonathan Danty for the curtain raiser, with the centre ruled out due to injury. Yoram Moefana fills in at 12, while Cameron Woki and Thibaud Flament are the lock partnership with no Paul Willemse. Reda Wardi is preferred to Jean-Baptiste Gros in Cyrill Baille’s stead at loosehead prop.
The All Blacks are also without their starting inside centre: Jordie Barrett’s knee injury creates an opportunity for Anton Lienert-Brown in midfield. Shannon Frizell is another absentee, with Dalton Papali’i’s picked at six, while Nepo Laulala starts at tighthead with Tyrel Lomax’s leg still recovering after the prop suffered a gash to his thigh in the warm-up defeat to South Africa.
France vs New Zealand: Confirmed line-ups
Friday 8 September 2023 18:47 , Lawrence Ostlere
Here is how the two teams will line-up tonight in Paris:
France XV: Reda Wardi, Julien Marchand, Uini Atonio; Cameron Woki, Thibaud Flament; Francois Cros, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt; Antoine Dupont (capt.), Matthieu Jalibert; Gabin Villiere, Yoram Moefana, Gael Fickou, Damian Penaud; Thomas Ramos.
Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Boudehent; Maxime Lucu, Arthur Vincent, Melvyn Jaminet.
New Zealand XV: Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala; Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Dalton Papali’i, Sam Cane (capt.), Ardie Savea; Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga; Mark Telea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan; Beauden Barrett.
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson; Finlay Christie, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku.
How to watch France vs New Zealand on TV tonight
Friday 8 September 2023 18:41 , Lawrence Ostlere
Here’s how to watch the match this evening, other than right here with me of course.
The game is due to kick off at 8.15pm BST tonight and viewers in the UK can watch the curtain-raiser on ITV 1, with coverage on the channel starting from 6.45pm.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider.
Antoine Dupont has the answer to France pressure as face of World Cup
Friday 8 September 2023 18:36 , Lawrence Ostlere
The man charged with delivering France first ever World Cup is their magical scrum-half, Antoine Dupont. Here’s our writer Luke Baker on the man at the heart of the French bid for glory:
The more of France you watch, the more you realise – this is Antoine Dupont’s world and we’re all just living in it.
Dupont has a skillset that is unique among not only scrum halves but all rugby players. The vision and distribution that any world-class No 9 has is married with a sniping acceleration and fleetness of foot up there with the best wingers in the world.
A low centre of gravity gives him the strength of a bowling ball skittling defenders and means he is seemingly impervious to the disruptive influence of opposition flankers lurking around the ruck.
His partnership for club and country with now-injured fly half Romain Ntamack is telepathic and he directs the French attack with the grace and confidence of an orchestra conductor. Simply put, and with apologies to reigning World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year Josh van der Flier, Dupont is the best player in the world.
If Les Bleus are to finally get over the line and lift the Rugby World Cup for the first time, having been runners-up on three occasions, their talismanic No 9 will have to deliver the goods. And make no mistake, that is the expectation.
Read the full piece:
Antoine Dupont has the answer to France pressure as face of World Cup
How will France respond to the Haka?
Friday 8 September 2023 18:31 , Lawrence Ostlere
The ‘Ka Mate’ haka has been associated with New Zealand rugby since the 1888 when an unofficial “Natives” team made up of Maori toured Britain. The practice has since been adopted by sporting teams of all types and is often also performed at funerals, weddings and other major events.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster said how France reacted was entirely a matter for the French.
“Historically they have some sometimes and not other times and we’re at peace with that,” he told reporters on the eve of the match. “We’re happy for the opposition to respond however they want to the haka. For us, it’s a special part of our legacy, of who we are as a team and how we connect to each other and to the past.
“One thing I do know is that they’ll respect that, because they’ve got a history of respecting the haka. The fact they may respond in different ways ... is not seen by us as a lack of respect.”
How will France respond to the Haka?
Friday 8 September 2023 18:24 , Lawrence Ostlere
One of the most eagerly awaited moments in the World Cup opener between New Zealand and France on Friday might come before kickoff at Stade de France when the All Blacks perform the haka.
All eyes will be on how the tournament hosts react to the traditional Maori challenge, especially given the French have provided two of the most memorable responses at previous World Cups.
The first came ahead of the 2007 quarter-final in Cardiff when the French, led by the fearsome brooding figure of Sebastien Chabal, linked arms and stood inches away from the All Blacks as they performed the ritual.
That set the tone for France’s stunning 20-18 upset of the runaway tournament favourites.
The second came before the 2011 final when the French lined up in a chevron formation behind skipper Thierry Dusautoir before linking arms and advancing just across the halfway line to confront the thigh-slapping New Zealanders.
The All Blacks, again unbackable favourites, went on to win a second World Cup with a 8-7 win at Eden Park that night but only after they had withstood immense French pressure in the final quarter of the match.
The French were fined $3,000 by World Rugby for crossing the halfway line.
France and New Zealand fans arrive for Rugby World Cup opening match
Friday 8 September 2023 18:18 , Lawrence Ostlere
You can watch live as France and New Zealand fans arrive ahead of the Rugby World Cup openerh at the Stade de France, if that’s your thing:
Live: Fans arrive for Rugby World Cup opening match
France vs New Zealand: Water breaks permitted amid heatwave
Friday 8 September 2023 18:12 , Lawrence Ostlere
It could be very hot tonight – the temperature in Paris is 34C right now and it not expected to drop dramatically before kick-off in a couple of hours.
So it’s good news that players grappling with the baking heat at the Rugby World Cup will be able to refresh themselves during extra water breaks midway through each half, World Rugby said on Friday.
Teams have been told that referees will be able to call the breaks at a natural pause in play during each half.
The heat is expected to persist through the weekend and across the country, exerting a gruelling toll even despite the 9pm kick-offs scheduled for many of the games. Temperatures of around 32C are expected in Bordeaux on Sunday, where Wales face Fiji in the pool C opener.
World Rugby said the measure has been used before and is within the tournament rules.
Bastien Chalureau: France’s controversial lock at the heart of World Cup storm
Friday 8 September 2023 18:07 , Lawrence Ostlere
Just days before the big launch of the tournament, the national team was dragged into a racism scandal.
Lock Bastien Chalureau denied accusations he is racist during an emotional press conference following his controversial call-up for the World Cup, with the player appealing against a suspended six-month prison sentence for a racially motivated attack in 2020.
Here’s more on a man in the spotlight:
Meet Bastien Chalureau - France’s controversial lock to watch at the Rugby World Cup
France vs New Zealand – Rugby World Cup LIVE
Friday 8 September 2023 18:02 , Lawrence Ostlere
Here we go, then!
After all the talk, all the build-up and all the anticipation, the 2023 Rugby World Cup is almost upon us, and what a way to get going: hosts France take on three-time champions New Zealand in front of 80,000 delirious fans at the Stade de France. We’ve got just two more hours of talk, build-up and ancitipation before kick-off...
France vs New Zealand – Rugby World Cup
Friday 8 September 2023 16:37 , Lawrence Ostlere
The 2023 Rugby World Cup begins tonight as the hosts France take on three-time champions New Zealand in Paris. You can follow all the build-up to the heavyweight clash and live coverage of the action right here.
