Rugby World Cup: France against New Zealand for a memorable opening match

The France face New Zealand in the opening match of the 2023 World Cup at the Stade de France this Friday, September 8. For this gala poster, the coach Fabien Galthié presented the tricolor composition.

Les Bleus captain Antoine Dupont during a friendly match against Australia, August 27, 2023. AFP - ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

By: Farid Achache Follow

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New Zealand is a magnificent first opponent. Since our childhood, we are passionate about this game, in love with the oval ball. And what could be better than New Zealand in the opening? We are so happy to face this team that for us this match is a celebration, a joy, a great happiness, in short it is wonderful, "said the coach of the Blues Fabien Galthié in a press conference. "The All Blacks have made generations and generations dream. When I was little, I admired them, so facing them in the opening match of a World Cup, more and more France... All the conditions are met for it to be a great event, the poster in any case is very beautiful, "adds Antoine Dupont, captain and scrum-half. The second line of the XV of France Thibaud Flament assured that the Blues would "let go" because it is slow to the Blues only one thing: "that it starts".

The two teams have faced each other seven times in the past

This shock is far from unprecedented at the World Cup since the two teams have faced each other seven times in the past. Twice, in 1999 and 2007, the XV of France managed to defeat the All Blacks in the most prestigious of rugby competitions.

The All Blacks remain paradoxically favorites of the competition, thanks to their technical superiority. But in 2021-2022, they were alternately humiliated by the France (40-25) and then at home by the Irish before falling against the Argentines (25-18), a historic first. The team pulled itself together. The following year, she went eleven consecutive matches without defeat (ten wins for a draw) and would have landed in France with her usual scarecrow status if she had not fallen heavily in her last preparation match in England against South Africa (35-7).

As for the French players, the center of Bordeaux-Bègles Yoram Moefana will start against the All Blacks, in a XV of France otherwise largely unchanged. Moefana was preferred to Jonathan Danty, who has not recovered from his thigh injury, and Arthur Vincent, who has hardly played for two years. Danty had started three of the four warm-up matches, against Scotland (30-27), Fiji (34-17) and Australia (41-17), but is too fair for the opening of the World Cup.

Another novelty, the left pillar Reda Wardi settles in the starting XV and will live his third start in ten caps, his first since the victory against Fiji. The Rochelais has doubled in the hierarchy the Toulon Jean-Baptiste Gros in the role of substitute for Cyril Baille.

For the rest, the Blues will therefore line up their almost typical team at the Stade de France with a hinge formed by captain and scrum-half Antoine Dupont and opener Matthieu Jalibert, who replaces Romain Ntamack forfeit for the entire competition.

After New Zealand, France will then face Uruguay in Lille (September 14), Namibia in Marseille (September 21) and Italy in Lyon (October 6).

The starting XV of the France against the All Blacks: Ramos - Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villière - (o) Jalibert, (m) Dupont (cap.) - Ollivon, Alldritt, Cros - Flament, Woki - Atonio, Marchand, Wardi

Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Aldegheri, R. Taofifenua, Boudehent, Lucu, Vincent, Jaminet

What is the haka?

By Cédric De Oliveira

Ceremonial occurs in stadiums around the world. And it is an attraction in itself: twenty-three New Zealand players, starters and substitutes, gathered in the middle of the field against their opponents in order to impress them just before the match. An essential ritual according to coach Ian Foster: "It's in our DNA, it's something essential for us. Sacred... That's what defines us as a man, as a team as well. What unites us and connects us to our history."

Coming from the Maori culture, he accompanies New Zealanders on a daily basis, in all types of ceremonies. But in Europe, it is associated with rugby. In previous World Cup matches, the French have sometimes wanted to challenge the All Blacks during their haka. But according to the international François Cros, not sure that this will happen for this new duel. "It is a strong symbol the haka of All Blacks. For the time being, nothing has been planned. I'm not saying that something won't be decided. We didn't prepare the haka, but we prepared for the game."

It remains to be seen what type of haka the New Zealanders will offer at the Stade de France, this September 8. Their great classic, the "Ka Mate" or the "Kapa O Pango" reserved for special occasions. Like a World Cup opening match, for example.

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• Rugby World Cup 2023
• France
• New Zealand
• Rugby