Report

World Rugby: the France offers itself a gala evening by beating the All Blacks in the opening

The 2023 Rugby World Cup kicked off on Friday 8 September with the meeting between France and New Zealand in a festive atmosphere. The France won in front of 78,690 spectators by winning 27-13.

France's Antoine Dupont (R) during the match against New Zealand, September 8, 2023. AFP - FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT

By: Farid Achache Follow

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From our special envoy at the Stade de France,

Like the weather in the French capital, fans were already very hot at the idea of attending this opening match of the 2023 World Cup. A meeting between France and New Zealand remains the dream poster for an oval ball lover. On the commuter train that serves the Stade de France station, it is barely 18 p.m. when a group sings the Marseillaise in the carriage, under the amused gaze of a man from the Indian subcontinent, where rugby is not the most practiced sport.

French fans before the match between France and New Zealand, September 8, 2023. © Pierre René-Worms / RFI

It must be said that the audience of the evening did not hesitate to take out the paraphernalia of the real supporter, with berets, rooster on the head or face grimed in blue, white and red. And a significant number of fans took out the Gallic disguise. "It's the perfect evening, not to be missed under any circumstances," says a young man, jersey of the France team on his shoulders. On the forecourt of the Stade de France, in the middle of many mobile gendarmes, people shouted at the top of their lungs "Go Blues".

A year ago, all tickets for all 48 games were sold out within days. Around the stadium, for this opening match, no one complained about the stifling heat, the faces were radiant in the hope of a first victory of the France in this group stage, even if this first outing of the Blues did not really have a stake.

The opening ceremony of the 2023 World Cup. © Farid Achache / RFI

Before kick-off, almost at sunset, the Saint-Denis public was treated to an opening ceremony to the sound of flonflons, including nostalgic songs, in a rural setting where a giant Eiffel Tower surmounted by the Webb Ellis Trophy, the award awarded to the winning team of the Rugby World Cup, was enthroned in the middle of the lawn. Two hundred years after the creation of the sport, the tenth Rugby World Cup has become a major event.

The French face the haka of the All Blacks, September 8, 2023. AFP - FRANCK FIFE

Driven by the expectations of the entire public of the Stade de France, the France began its World Cup against the mythical New Zealanders, in a new costume of favorite. The France, dominated in the first half, was sparkling in the second.

The France XV broke free and raised the tone in terms of aggressiveness and desire to beat their formidable opponent, thanks to the foot of Ramos and a try from Penaud. New Zealand suffered its first World Cup defeat in the group stages.

Antoine Dupont's partners, thanks to this victory over the All Blacks, already take an option on the first place of Group A in which also appear Italy, Namibia and Uruguay, next opponent of the Blues Thursday, September 14 in Lille.

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• Rugby World Cup 2023
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