Robert Kitson’s match report from Stade de France is here:
That was a thrilling start to the tournament, overall, and even the opening ceremony was fun. Thanks for reading and emailing in … and I’ll see you tomorrow for much more.
Confusion reigns over that final conversion by Jaminet. It seems one touch judge raised the flag to indicate it had been scored, and the other didn’t. We’ll go with 27-13 final score … and that has just been confirmed that the final kick did indeed miss.
Updated
On ITV pundit duty, O’Driscoll and Alphonsi both reckon New Zealand were a bit disappointing tonight. I thought they had their moments … either way, history has been made, and the All Blacks have lost a pool match at a Rugby World Cup.
Alldritt, who is named player of the match, speaks: “A really, really tough game … we were expecting tough opposition … I’m proud to be French tonight.
“I said before, the one who was going to win was the team that played for 80 minutes. It’s a great night for us.
“It was really, really hot. Fantastic support in the stadium. We are looking forward to the next game. We are not champion now. We have to keep working and go step by step.”
Sébastien Chabal is there to congratulate him!
It was excellent to see Ioane race through the middle of the French defence on the very first attack of the game, off first-phase possession. Hopefully that sets the tone for the tournament? We’ll see a lot more line breaks than we did back in 2007, I reckon.
Updated
Seemingly some confusion in the official scorers’ box this evening. Not for the first time, a conversion was incorrectly added to the score following a try … the final score was 27-13 to France.
Full time! France 27-13 New Zealand
C’est comme ça.
That delivered on all the pre-tournament promise and excitement in so many ways … and most importantly for France, they are off to the start they wanted. Advantage Les Bleus in Pool A.
France kicked the ball a lot, but true to form, that tactical kicking also set up some scintillating rugby.
Updated
Try! 77 min: France 27-13 New Zealand (Jaminet)
A brilliant box kick by Lucu, who is on for Dupont, after an equally smart turnover by France, puts Mo’unga under plenty of pressure in the 22 and Jaminet capitalises on the bouncing ball to flop over! France have done it now for sure!
Updated
77 min: I should have mentioned that Smith, the New Zealand scrum-half, went off for Jacobson a few minutes ago.
75 min: Ooooh, nearly an inspired score by France: Penaud chases a diagonal grubber kick into the 22, and grabs it, dives close to the try-line, and pops the ball up for Ramos who touches down.
But Penaud knocked it on. The wing smiles, through his gumshield, despite the score being disallowed, and it feels like any opening-night nerves have dissipated now for the hosts. They feel like they have this won.
Updated
Penalty! 73 min: France 22-13 New Zealand (Ramos)
The boot of Thomas Ramos, among other things, looks set to win this for France and get them off to a strong start at their own tournament.
Updated
71 min: Having recently come back from the sin bin for a similar crime, Jordan nearly takes Ramos out in the air again. In fact he does take him out, but only to the extent that it’s a penalty rather than a card. Ramos will try and take France more than a converted score clear …
Updated
70 min: Two-try wing Telea goes off, Fainga’anuku comes on for New Zealand.
Updated
68 min: New Zealand’s Retallick, who only came into the matchday 22 after the late injury to Cane, is on for Whitelock.
Updated
68 min: France, again, put boot to ball, with a searching kick over the top down the left wing, looking for Villiere who gets on his bike to chase it. Savea tidies it up well though, with the help of a couple of teammates. Jordan is now back from the sin bin.
Updated
Penalty! 64 min: France 19-13 New Zealand
Ramos punishes New Zealand off the tee yet again, and it’s a six-point game. The All Blacks are still down to 14 men following the yellow card for the wing Will Jordan. What impact will the next 15 minutes or so have on the rest of this tournament? Can France hang on for the win?
Updated
64 min: The stats say France have missed 27 tackles, New Zealand have missed 15.
61 min: We still have about a quarter of the match to go … the players took a break, a couple of minutes ago, to take on some water.
Fatigue is going to be a big factor with the intense heat in Paris and the benches are no doubt going to be emptied.
France’s Cros goes off, for Boudenhet. Still all to play for. Allez!
Updated
59 min: Ramos misses quite an easy penalty from right of the posts. Will that be costly? The official confirms that Jordan’s yellow card will not be upgraded.
Meanwhile, some replacements: Moefana off for Vincent, for France, Jacobsen on for Vaa’i, for New Zealand.
Yellow card! 57 min: New Zealand's Jordan
The All Blacks wing Jordan crashes into an over-eager tackle with a French player – was it Villiere? – airborne to catch a high kick. He falls awkwardly and the crowd wail their disapproval. A yellow card is the result, and it could even by upgraded to a red in the bunker system. I fancy a yellow will be deemed enough though.
Updated
Try! 54 min: France 16-13 New Zealand (Penaud)
Oh yes! Jalibert embarks on a jinking run deep into the All Blacks’ 22 … there is a big overlap for Penaud, Jalibert finds him, and he dives over the line and celebrates passionately. He gives Jalibert a kiss too. Ramos belts the conversion through the posts, and the Stade de France is rocking.
Updated
53 min: Replacements for both teams. De Groot makes way for Tuungafasi, Laulala off for Newell. Atonio of France off for Aldegheri.
52 min: Whoah! Is Penaud over in the corner? It looks like he’s either knocked it on or gone into touch … but it was an amazing bit of work by the France wing to collect a kick by Jalibert, and then in turn by Mo’unga, to knock the ball out of Penaud’s hands as he was diving over the try-line. No try. Lovely move by France, and sensational defending by New Zealand.
Updated
50 min: The ball accidentally flicks off Peyper, the referee, on New Zealand’s possession and he gives the All Blacks a scrum on their 22. Beauden Barrett skews the kick for touch somewhat, and France have a lineout in the All Blacks’ half.
49 min: Taofifenua comes on for France in the second row, in place of Woki.
48 min: So far, New Zealand have made 423 in metres carried v 215 for France. At half time O’Driscoll mentioned that France kicked 42 times in the first half. No doubt which team is trying to keep the ball in hand more …
Updated
46 min: Flament, the France second row, barges into the 22 and is brought down … he loses the ball in contact but a scrum to France is the result for an apparent knock-on by an All Black hand.
Try! 42 min: France 9-13 New Zealand
Wow! New Zealand certainly don’t waste their next possession. Savea puts in a cute little chip kick with his left foot, over the covering defence in the middle of the pitch. Ioane gathers the ball and spins a looping pass out to the left – the ball bounces once, but kindly for Telea, who has a clear run into the line in the corner. Penaud looks unhappy about something, and then the crowd think it’s a forward pass by Ioane when they see it on replay on the big screen, from an angle overhead … but the score stands, and the conversion is missed by Mo’unga.
Updated
41 min: Wardi sets the tone for a big start to the half for France, embarking on a seriously powerful run down the left wing. Alldritt and others take it up, battering to within a couple of metres, but Cros is penalised and New Zealand can clear after winning a penalty.
Second half kick-off!
France, in their white jerseys and blue shorts, get the second half under way.
Updated
Galthié is pictured in the French changing room, looking typically cool, despite the fierce heat. He’s even wearing a fitted white shirt, but there is not a sweat patch in sight. Macronesque.
Updated
In the ITV studio, Brian O’Driscoll mentions that Dupont’s kicking game has been excellent, and also references the French work at the breakdown (the most notable example came from that brilliant turnover by Alldritt close to half time).
Wilkinson, meanwhile, points out that the France scrum has been pretty dominant.
Updated
Half time! France 9-8 New Zealand
An excellent half of rugby from both teams: the boot of Thomas Ramos has France in the lead, but it’s the All Blacks who have shown the most attacking quality and an admirable commitment to attacking by putting the ball through the hands. The tone was set by Ioane’s sprint straight through a gap with their very first possession of the match, the led to the first try, scored by Telea after a wonderful cross-kick by Beauden Barrett. All in all, more of the same, please …
Updated
39 min: Once again it is a wave of All Black shirts moving into the French 22. They are putting pressure on the French defence, by virtue of some excellent offloading and running lines, pretty much every time they get possession. It’s very impressive: but so is the French defence, and they repel the latest assault on their line by the three-times champions.
Updated
35 min: New Zealand, who have played some lovely stuff, work through another attack into the French half, but some sensational work by Alldritt sees him rip the ball away at a ruck. Villiere tries to have a dart from deep but is tackled by several hulking opponents. Ramos then belts the ball long, down the middle.
Updated
32 min: The home crowd don’t care about the intense heat in Paris and they are enjoying this occasion immensely. Ramos puts another penalty attempt wide from the French right. He shakes his head having failed to stretch the hosts’ lead to four.
Updated
29 min: Beauden Barrett, brilliantly, sticks a high kick up down the middle and rushes forwards to leap up and claim it against the odds. Mo’unga keeps the attack going with another kick. Villiere then tries to run it out of a dangerous area for France, down in the corner on their left-hand side, but New Zealand counter-ruck and win the ball back, and they go through another couple of phases. De Groot, unfortunately for him, suffers another moment to forget when he knocks on in contact inside the 22 and France can clear.
Updated
Penalty! 28 min: France 9-8 New Zealand (Ramos)
This has been a ding-dong battle so far.
27 min: A scrum on halfway. The All Blacks’ prop Ethan de Groot is penalised by Peyper, the referee, for a second time … France will kick for the posts after Uini Atonio gets on top again in the front-row battle.
Updated
Penalty! 25min: France 6-8 New Zealand (Mo'unga)
The All Blacks are rewarded for a fine attacking move, switching between the backs and forwards, and they are back in the lead.
23 min: New Zealand’s backline works through a lovely, sweeping passing move and Mo’unga runs it into the 22, showing good strength and balance. Then they go to the forwards, and they recycle the ball several times as they have a bash at forcing over the try-line, with Scott Barrett in particular nearly getting over.
Eventually there is a knock-on, but the referee Peyper pulls it back for an earlier penalty.
19 min: Penalty! France 6-5 New Zealand (Ramos)
France lead! Ramos strokes a straightforward penalty through the sticks from a central area and the hosts, after a shaky start, are in the lead.
The France No 8 Alldritt is playing like a man possessed, crashing into the contact area with enthusiasm at every opportunity.
Updated
15 min: Mauvaka, the replacement hooker, takes a quick lineout to Dupont. Mauvaka bursts down the touchline on the French left showing superb pace for a front-rower. He kicks ahead into space, and appears to be taken out by an All Blacks defender, and the French crowd roar their disapproval.
Alldritt then gets hands on the ball and smashes into contact in terrifying fashion. New Zealand get it back, and the try-scorer Telea has a dart on the All Blacks’ left. This is a high-tempo start, despite the high temperatures in Paris … a water break will be coming up shortly.
Updated
12 min: Bad news for France. The hooker, Julien Marchand, trudges off injured. Hopefully it’s not serious … but anyway, Peato Mauvaka comes on.
9 min: The upshot of the scruffy scrum is a France clearing kick, and a New Zealand lineout. They muck that up, though, and France are able to attack down their left wing. Moefana has a dart but is tackled efficiently … France move through another phase back into a central area, but good competition at the breakdown by New Zealand wins them a scrum put-in. They then win a free-kick at the resulting scrum when the referee, Jaco Peyper, says France engaged early.
8 min: The first scrum of the evening arrives, in a central area around halfway. French put-in. The ball is a bit messy for Dupont out of the back of the scrum, and his opposite number, Smith, is all over him as a result.
Updated
Penalty! 5 min: France 3-5 New Zealand
France get on the board thanks to a straightforward penalty by Thomas Ramos. That first five minutes could have been worse for them … regardless, the gaps in their defence will be worrying Shaun Edwards.
Updated
Try! 2 min: France 0-5 New Zealand (Telea)
In New Zealand’s first possession after a French clearing kick to halfway, Rieko Ioane charges on to a flat pass on first phase, roaring through a gap in the defensive line at full speed, deep into the French half. What a start.
Ioane is tackled in the 22, but the All Blacks end up winning a penalty when France appear to have snatched the ball back. They take a lineout pretty quickly, Beauden Barrett clips a fantastic cross-kick over to the opposite side of the field, and Telea does well to gather it and touch down despite the attention of Damien Penaud.
The conversion is missed, and the scoreboard incorrectly says 0-7 momentarily. It’s 0-5.
Updated
First half kick-off!
The All Blacks kick off. The 2023 Rugby World Cup has begun. France kick for touch around halfway.
France face down the Haka. The French wing Villiere stands motionless, scrum-cap on, eyeballing the opposition … the crowd roars. And we’re ready to go.
Updated
“I’m so excited,” emails Peter. “And being the England type, I think we won’t get out of the group. But I’m still so excited.”
Updated teams
A reminder that Sam Cane, who was due to lead the All Blacks, has been ruled out by injury. Tupou Vaa’i comes into the team as a late replacement, with Papali’i switching to openside flanker.
France: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villière; Jalibert, Dupont (capt.); Wardi, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Flament, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt. Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Boudehent, Lucu, Vincent, Jaminet.
New Zealand: Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Telea; Mo’unga, Smith; de Groot, Taylor, Laulala, Whitelock, Barrett, Vaa’i, Papali’i, Savea (capt.). Replacements: Taukei’aho, Tuungafasi, Newell, Retallick, Jacobson, Christie, Havili, Fainga’anuku.
Here we go! This is really happening … the teams have emerged on to the pitch at Stade de France. Ardie Savea, who has stepped up as captain for New Zealand tonight with Sam Cane injured, has a reassuring word with the mascot standing alongside him.
Updated
The Patrouille de France doing their stuff earlier. Spectacular.
🔵⚪️🔴 #RWC2023 is about to take flight #FRAvNZL pic.twitter.com/YOxWpEdltI
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 8, 2023
Dan Carter is now on the pitch, alongside the World Cup trophy, which appears to be in a special Louis Vuitton presentation case. And now he’s picked it up, and is walking off the pitch with it … we’re under 10 minutes from kick-off now!
Fitzpatrick mentions on ITV that the All Blacks won the toss, so will wear their black jerseys, with France in white.
Updated
“I’m hoping beyond hope that Scotland can spring(bok) a surprise on Sunday,” emails Simon McMahon. “You never know, though you normally do where Scotland and major tournaments are concerned. Still, dreams are free, right? As for tonight’s result, ‘not a clue’ is my considered opinion / razor sharp analysis. You’re welcome.”
I think I might be veering towards a statement New Zealand win, capitalising on a few French opening-night nerves. No, I think France are going to walk it by 20 points. I’m have no idea either, in truth, but I’m excited regardless.
Updated
“I hope someone can explain why ITV took the last Conservative Party leadership contest debates as their studio set inspiration,” emails Frank. “Which one is Rory Stewart?”
On ITV they are having a chat about Pool D. O’Driscoll is very measured about how ludicrously tough the hand that Ireland have been dealt is … he says Scotland are “in the long grass, going about their business” and that “having a chip on their shoulder is a strong place to be” – in the sense that so many people are predicting South Africa and Ireland to qualify from the pool.
As O’Driscoll says, if South Africa beat Ireland, there should be plenty riding on the meeting between Andy Farrell and Gregor Townsend’s sides in early October.
Updated
All Blacks captain Sam Cane ruled out by injury
Terrible news for New Zealand. The captain and openside flanker, Sam Cane, has been ruled out of tonight’s match by injury.
Ardie Savea becomes the captain, Dalton Papali’i switches to No 7, and Tupou Vaa’i comes into the XV.
Team News: New Zealand captain Sam Cane is a late withdrawal for tonight’s Rugby World Cup opener with France.
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 8, 2023
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
Updated
Brian O’Driscoll is talking about Antoine Dupont. There is some footage of that insanely good Six Nations match between Ireland and France earlier this year, including that super-human tackle near the French try-line.
“He is possibly building himself to be one of the all-time greats, if he continues on this path,” O’Driscoll says of the inspirational scrum-half.
Updated
Here’s a piece I wrote with the France and La Rochelle prop, Uini Atonio, back in April before their Champions Cup semi-final against Exeter:
Are New Zealand, after all that, actually going to win this thing?
Macron concludes: “I wish you a fantastic World Cup, full of the courage and panache that you love … I declare the 10th World Cup open!”
Macron and Beaumont shake hands and half-embrace, and the crowd cheer, probably because the speeches and the opening ceremony are over more than anything else.
Updated
Macron speaks now. He says France are hoping to win, both the competition, and the people’s hearts. He is drowned out by a chant of Allez les Bleus.
Updated
Now, here’s Bill Beaumont, chair of World Rugby, who stands alongside the Webb Ellis trophy grinning for half a minute or so, looking confused and taken aback by the amount of noise in the stadium. Emmanuel Macron is standing at the side of the little stage on which Beaumont is speaking.
The crowd seems to be trying to drown out Beaumont’s words with some passionate singing. Macron laughs. “The waiting is over,” says Beaumont.
Still absolutely sweltering in Paris, even at 8pm. It was about 35C during the day, perhaps about 30C now, and the thought of playing rugby in this, or dancing in a costume, or indeed doing anything that doesn’t involve long and restful immersion in cold water, feels genuinely outlandish. Still, there’s a huge crowd in for the opening ceremony, and big cheers for the actor Jean Dujardin as he makes his appearance. I once bought a pirate DVD copy of The Artist, as it happens. Big mistake. The picture was in black and white and there was no sound on it.
In the words of World Rugby itself, here is the lowdown on this opening ceremony in Paris, which has been fun so far.
“Rugby began thanks to an unconventional gesture: that of William Webb Ellis, a student who took the ball in his hands while playing football in 1823 and crossed the field with it, breaking the rules of the game at the time.
“The creative team behind the Opening Ceremony of Rugby World Cup 2023 have chosen to follow in this path, moving away from the usual ceremony standards, as to tell a story that goes back to the roots of French culture. Led by Jean Dujardin (actor and co-writer of this ceremony), some thirty individuals who embody France’s culture, as well as its art of living, recognised throughout the world, will take part.
“These guests of honour, who come from the worlds of film, music, dance, urban culture, but also gastronomy and craftsmanship, will be at the heart of this Opening Ceremony. They will take the 80,000 fans at the Stade de France and millions of TV viewers on a poetic and colorful journey, through a story of romance and brotherhood.
“The cast will be accompanied by 44 professional artists - dancers and acrobats - and 240 volunteers. The story they will tell, in the spirit of film-maker Jacques Tati, is as much a tribute to rugby as it is to the values that go with it, an ode to what makes France a unique place.
“The show’s choreography is by Grichka Caruge, first assistant director, choreographer but also performer in the show. Acrobatics are directed by Vivien Loulou and costumes for all the participants were designed by Lili Kendaka.
“Designed by Jean Dujardin (co-writer and male lead), Olivier Ferracci (co-writer, designer and director) and Nora Matthey de l’Endroit (co-writer, artistic director and director), this Opening Ceremony has been conceived as an elegant and colourful fresco. It’s a show that reflects who we are and what brings us together, with an emphasis on humour and self-deprecation, before kicking off Rugby World Cup 2023.”
Updated
There he is!
The opening ceremony has started … Jean Dujardin, the one off The Artist, is swanning around in a fictional French village in the middle of the pitch. He rode on to the scene riding a baker’s delivery bicycle, and lots of people are dancing, somersaulting and doing other stuff in the general vicinity.
Updated
“Really rooting for France (an odd situation for an Englishman) because they’ve done everything right,” emails Thomas Burt. “Sorted out the club/country divide, recruited great coaches & play gorgeous rugby. It’d be nice to see it rewarded.”
And here’s our Pool A guide.
Why not amuse yourself with our writers’ tournament predictions:
Updated
Asterix and Obelix are on the scene in Paris, reports Robert Kitson.
Can't remember a greater sense of anticipation before any #RugbyWorldCup in the last 25 years. Even Asterix & Obelix have turned up! #bytoutatis pic.twitter.com/flcWgVGAeX
— Robert Kitson (@robkitson) September 8, 2023
The 2007 Rugby World Cup winner Bryan Habana, pitchside with Jill Douglas and Sean Fitzpatrick on ITV, describes the sense of anticipation in France as “absolutely tangible”.
“This feels special,” chips in Fitzy.
Winning the cup 16 years ago was “absolutely special”, enthuses Habana.
Updated
“I am following from Zambia,” emails Benedict. “Out of reverence for my childhood hero Serge Blanco, I’m going for France by 17. A good game to all!”
Enjoy it, Benedict.
ITV’s coverage has begun. Mark Pougatch is presenting, with Jonny Wilkinson, Maggie Alphonsi and Brian O’Driscoll all lined up in position behind pundits’ lecterns.
When dusk falls over Paris on Friday, the city will reverberate to the spectacular and the divine. To mark the start of the Rugby World Cup, the Eiffel Tower will blaze with light. Then Oscar winner Jean Dujardin will direct an opening ceremony that celebrates French “savoir-faire and art de vivre”, as well as the sport’s 200th birthday. Inevitably, there will be fireworks. But the biggest bang of all will come when the two favourites for the tournament, France and New Zealand, lock muscle and bone in the opening game, and 80,000 people at the Stade de France roar their approval.
Here’s one I prepared earlier: things to look out for on the opening weekend:
Now, back to those teams … it will be interesting to see how Yoram Moefana gets on at inside centre, alongside Gaël Fickou at No 13 in the France midfield. Mathieu Jalibert faces a big night at fly-half too, lining up against the dangerous Richie Mo’unga.
Updated
Kick-off remains 1hr 45mins away – plenty of time to get your teeth into Robert Kitson’s fine scenesetter for this evening’s match:
Updated
Water breaks implemented at all matches this weekend
Water breaks will be implemented across all Rugby World Cup games this weekend amid soaring temperatures in France. Paris – the setting for the hosts’ meeting with New Zealand on Friday night – is in the grip of a heatwave with daily temperatures of 35C expected to last until Monday.
Two matches are being staged in Marseille, including England’s opener against Argentina, where it has reached 30 degrees.
“Water breaks will operate midway through both halves at a natural break in play. The process will be managed by the referee,” a World Rugby statement read. “The process has operated at previous World Cups and across rugby more broadly when temperatures are hot or humid and is catered for in the tournament’s regulations.”
Teams
France: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villière; Jalibert, Dupont (capt.); Wardi, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Flament, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt. Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Boudehent, Lucu, Vincent, Jaminet.
New Zealand: Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Telea; Mo’unga, Smith; de Groot, Taylor, Laulala, Whitelock, Barrett, Vaa’i, Papali’i, Savea (capt.). Replacements: Taukei’aho, Tuungafasi, Newell, Retallick, Jacobson, Christie, Havili, Fainga’anuku.
Updated
Preamble
It’s showtime.
Six years after France won the right to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and four years since South Africa prevailed in Yokohama, the action finally begins at Stade de France in Paris today.
This is perhaps France’s best opportunity to win the trophy, given the remarkable strength of the hosts’ playing squad, and their talented coaching team led by Fabien Galthié. South Africa and Ireland are strong contenders too, but the first concern for France is this keenly anticipated opening night against the mighty All Blacks. Injuries to key French players such as the fly-half Romain Ntamack and the prop Cyril Baille were poorly timed, but there is serious depth to their resources.
New Zealand have never before been beaten in a pool match, although their defeats by Les Bleus in 1999 and 2007 are both the stuff of rugby legend. New Zealand prevailed over France as hosts in the finals of 1987 and 2011, and have won five of eight of the Rugby World Cup meetings between the teams. A crushing, record defeat by the Springboks at Twickenham last month will have stung – but perhaps came at the perfect time to focus their minds for another shot at the trophy.
Here we go then – seven weeks of competition to find the winner of the Webb Ellis Trophy. Defeat for either side will not be terminal to their hopes of progress – so let’s hope for a fittingly fluent opening to one of the greatest shows on earth.
Kick-off: 8.15pm UK time
