Total party in Paris: France beat All Blacks in Rugby World Cup opener

What I experienced in Paris was a historic day. During the World Cup which commemorates the 200 years of existence of rugby, the city of light put on its thirty-one. France broke with tradition and handed New Zealand their first defeat in the group stage, beating them by 27 to 13 in a match that will remain in the retina of fans and that elevates the Gauls as one of the big favorites to win the Webb Ellis Trophy.

An opening match that could easily have been a final. On one side France, host and second best team in the standings. Grown up, confident and with a record of 14 home wins. On the other New Zealand, three times world champion and holder of one of the most incredible brands in rugby: it has won all the matches it has played in the group stage of the World Cups.

And the All Blacks were the first to strike. They surprised the French and when the clock was barely marking a minute, Mark Telea converted the first try of the evening and of the World Cup. A punishment that left France in check, who despite having regained the advantage thanks to two kicks from Thomas Ramos, felt that their great forces were not appearing in Saint Denis. In the 25th minute, they missed 17 of 46 tackles attempted.

But even without shining, this France is scary. Not only does he have one of the best on the planet (Antoine Dupont), but he’s found a lethal weapon in his defensive block when the game isn’t flowing. They were leading 9-8 at halftime and even another try from Telea in the 43rd minute didn’t take them out of the game.

The Le Coq team maintained the structure and when it got worse they found their first try of the day. Jalibert landed for Penaud who found the pennant and returned the advantage to the hosts. A score that upset the Oceanicians, who also entered this duel with two key injuries in their system: center Jordy Barret and Sam Cane, third line and captain of the All Blacks.

France, for its part, only grew with the advantage. New Zealand received yellow cards, committed penalties, made substitutions and ultimately could never get out of this dynamic established in the second half. Ramos converted his fourth kick of the night (plus a conversion) and extended the lead to six. But the full-back didn’t stop there and in the 74th minute he sparked the madness with another shot beyond the posts.

Difference already inaccessible for the protagonists of the Haka, which extends only in the epilogue. France converts a new try and the party was total. The All Blacks taste defeat in the group stage for the first time in their history. The locals are making it clear that they are aiming for everything and want to lift the cup at home. The World Cup is still long, but this day was a declaration of intent.