France vs New Zealand LIVE!
The hosts rode a wave of passionate home support to beat three-time champions New Zealand 27-13 on Friday in the opening match of the 10th Rugby World Cup, burnishing their title ambitions by prevailing in a contest of rare intensity.
The defeat was the first ever in a World Cup pool match for the All Blacks, who lost skipper Sam Cane to injury just before kick-off but opened the scoring through winger Mark Telea inside two minutes. Three penalties from fullback Thomas Ramos to one from New Zealand flyhalf Richie Mo’unga had France 9-8 ahead at the break but Telea struck again off a looping Rieko Ioane pass three minutes into the second half.
Winger Damian Penaud scored a converted try in the 54th minute to put France 16-13 ahead and Ramos added another two penalties and Melvyn Jaminet crossed for another five-pointer two minutes from time. Read back the game below with our dedicated match blog as the Rugby World Cup kicks off in Paris!
