Dream start for France as All Blacks humbled in Paris

The long-awaited 2023 Rugby World Cup opener between hosts France and three-time champions the All Blacks took place on Friday 8 September.

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Heading into the Rugby World Cup, France won three of their four warm-up matches, slipping to a loss to Scotland at Murrayfield in the first of the quartet of Summer Nations series matches.

The All Blacks played just one match in warm-up in the North, losing by a record margin to the Springboks.

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All Blacks coach Ian Foster hopes to use that result as fuel to fire up his charges for their tilt at a record-breaking fourth Rugby World Cup title.

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“We’re not panicking about that result,” said Foster.

“We knew we were going to get challenged. It’s not the result we wanted. But I still believe in the plan. The group that we needed to play all played – Scott [Barrett] not as long as I would have liked – a fortnight out from a big test and at least we have a good litmus test of where we’re at.

“In many ways it was a perfect storm. We had seven players who hadn’t played in four weeks. They needed this game. I thought we looked rusty and quite frankly South Africa were outstanding in terms of how they pressured us in the areas they wanted to. That coincided with the red card, and there goes the game.

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“It was still a game we needed. We’ll make sure we use that really well in a fortnight’s time.”

Hosts ready to rumble

France skipper Antoine Dupont labelled this clash as must-win.

“This match is obviously extremely important, to get us started in the competition and to ensure that people follow our team and want to support them throughout the World Cup,” said Dupont in an interview with AFP.

“You obviously have to win a home opener.

“We’ve never been so well prepared.

“We have won 80 percent of our matches, the Six Nations in 2022. We have a promising generation of talented players who have gained experience and continuity in the backbone of the team.

“That hasn’t been the case over the last 10 years.

“So all systems are go. What’s more, we’re lucky enough to be hosting the competition, so we’re hoping for public support.

“In spite of that, it’s still sport and the matches have to be played and won.”

TEAMS

FRANCE

15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Reda Wardi

Substitutes: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifienua, 20 Paul Boudehent, 21 Maxime Lucu, 22 Arthur Vincent, 23 Melvyn Jaminet

NEW ZEALAND

15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Dalton Papali’i, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot

Substitutes: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 David Havili, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku

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