The All Blacks lost their first Rugby World Cup pool match ever when France came from behind to beat New Zealand 27-13 in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup 2023 at the Stade de France.
Both sides scored two tries, however, France full-back Thomas Ramos kicked 17 points as the hosts overcame New Zealand in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup 2023 at the Stade de France.
The All Blacks scored after just 92 seconds when Mark Telea touched down Beauden Barrett’s precise cross-kick, but three Ramos penalties helped Les Bleus into a 9-8 half-time lead.
Telea’s second try, after just three minutes of play in the second half, from Richie Mo’unga’s floated pass, put New Zealand back in front but after Damian Penaud was denied a try by Mo’unga’s tackle, France seized the momentum.
Penaud took Matthieu Jalibert’s pass to score his 30th test try after fifteen minutes of play in the second half, and after a yellow card for All Blacks wing Will Jordan, two more Ramos penalties and a late Melvyn Jaminet try kicked off a party in Paris.
Scorers:
France: Tries: Melvyn Damian Penaud, Jaminet. Conversion: Thomas Ramos. Penalties: Thomas Ramos (5).
All Blacks: Tries: Mark Telea (2). Penalty: Richie Mo’unga.
Teams:
France: 1 Reda Wardi, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Cameron Woki, 5 Thibaud Flament, 6 François Cros, 7 Charles Ollivon, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 9 Antoine Dupont, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 11 Gabin Villiere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 13 Gaël Fickou, 14 Damian Penaud, 15 Thomas Ramos. Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Paul Boudehent, 21 Maxime Lucu, 22 Arthur Vincent, 23 Melvyn Jaminet.
All Blacks: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Nepo Laulala, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 5 Scott Barrett, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 7 Dalton Papalai’i, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 9 Aaron Smith, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 11 Mark Telea, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan, 15 Beauden Barrett. Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 David Havili, 23 Leicester Fainga'anuku.
