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In a stunning upset, the host nation France handed the New Zealand All Blacks their first-ever loss in a men’s Rugby World Cup pool match, securing a 27-13 victory in the tournament’s opening game.
In the previous nine editions of the World Cup, the All Blacks had consistently advanced from the pool stage without a single defeat. However, they succumbed to a spirited French team, playing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Paris’s Stade de France.
The All Blacks started the match strongly, with winger Mark Telea scoring a try just two minutes into the game. Despite this early success, France regrouped and managed to take a narrow 9-8 lead at halftime, ultimately securing the victory in the second half.
Winger Damian Penaud and substitute Melvyn Jaminet contributed tries for France, while fullback Thomas Ramos added 17 points through conversions and five penalty goals.
Mark Telea added another try for the All Blacks early in the second half.
While the French team has reached the final three times in previous World Cups, they have never lifted the coveted William Webb Ellis Cup. However, their win over the All Blacks demonstrated that they are a formidable contender in this year’s tournament.
The match had its moments of imperfection, with both teams facing challenges during play. Nonetheless, Ramos’s accurate kicking played a crucial role in keeping France ahead.
The match began following an opening ceremony that celebrated French gastronomy, culture, and art. Despite sweltering conditions, the game featured drink breaks in each half.
Notably, the All Blacks were without their captain Sam Cane, who was forced to withdraw due to a back injury.
New Zealand initially took the lead when Telea received a perfectly executed cross-field kick from Beauden Barrett.
The All Blacks appeared more threatening in the first half, but three penalty goals by Ramos allowed the hosts to maintain a narrow advantage heading into the second half.
Although Telea scored another try early in the second half, questions arose about the pass from center Rieko Ioane, with the crowd of 78,690 expressing their opinions to referee Jaco Peyper.
This put the All Blacks ahead 13-9, but France quickly responded with Penaud’s try, reclaiming the lead.
The All Blacks faced further setbacks when Will Jordan received a yellow card after colliding with an airborne Ramos, who added to France’s score during Jordan’s absence.
In the 78th minute, substitute back Jaminet crossed the try line for France, prompting celebrations in Paris.
France’s next match in Pool A will be against Uruguay in Lille next Friday AEST, while the All Blacks will seek to bounce back against Namibia in Toulouse the following day.
The Wallabies will commence their World Cup campaign against Georgia at Stade de France on Sunday AEST.