New Zealand has gotten their Rugby World Cup campaign off to the dream start, scoring in the second minute for their tournament opener against hosts France in Paris. The All Blacks are leading 13-8 in the 50th minute at Stade de France.
All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane silenced the vocal home crowd with an early linebreak, and fullback Beauden Barrett’s gorgeous cross-field kick found winger Mark Telea, albeit with a lucky bounce.
Telea scored near the corner flag, but Richie Mo’unga missed the conversion kick from near touch.
France returned serve almost immediately, awarded a breakdown penalty in the fifth minute and reducing the deficit to just two points.
MATCH CENTRE: France vs New Zealand live score
However, the hosts were dealt a devastating blow a few minutes later with hooker Julien Marchand limping off with injury, replaced by Peato Mauvaka.
Both sides botched early kicks for touch, but France took the lead in the 20th minute after fullback Thomas Ramos slotted another penalty kick, awarded from the scrum.
After a lengthy series of pick-and-drives on the opposition tryline, the All Blacks begrudgingly accepted a close-range penalty kick in the 26th minute, once again edging ahead on the scoreboard.
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The French were awarded another penalty after the All Blacks front row collapsed in the scrum, with Ramos nailing the three-pointed from the halfway line.
Ramos‘ missed an opportunity to extend France’s lead a few minutes later, with his fourth penalty kick attempt sailing to the left of the sticks.
Discipline remained a problem for New Zealand ahead of halftime, with a couple of knock-ons and wayward passes frustrating the Kiwis.
However, the All Blacks reclaimed the lead early in the second term, with Telea scoring his second try in the left corner after a clever chip kick from Ardie Savea and a wide pass from Mo’unga, which many French players believed floated forward. The crowd agreed.
Hosts France kick off the Rugby World Cup against three-time champions New Zealand on Saturday morning AEST in a mouth-watering start to the quadrennial tournament.
New Zealand captain Sam Cane was a late withdrawal for the Rugby World Cup opener, replaced by Tupou Vaa’i in the starting line-up with Dalton Papali’i moving from blindside flanker to the open side.
Experienced lock Brodie Retallick comes onto the bench with Vaa’i promoted from the substitutes.
No. 8 Ardie Savea leads the side instead of Cane.
France coach Fabien Galthie said fans were in for a treat.
“(The All Blacks) do it best,” he said.
“We’re so happy to play this team.
“For us, Friday is a party, a joy, an honour, it’s marvellous.”
The early stages of the tournament will be played in unseasonal heat, with the temperature at kick-off set to be 29 degrees.
Players will be able to take drinks in breaks in each of the halves, as they did at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
France starting XV
Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Gabin Villiere; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont; Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Francois Cros; Thibaud Flament, Cameron Woki; Uini Atonio, Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Boudehent, Maxime Lucu, Arthur Vincent, Melvyn Jaminet Coach: Fabien Galthie (FRA)
New Zealand starting XV
Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Telea; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea (capt), Dalton Papali’i, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett, Samuel Whitelock; Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Brodie Retallick, Luke Jacobson, Finlay Christie, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anukuCoach: Ian Foster (NZL)
