Rugby World Cup: France opened its tournament with a major victory against the All Blacks

The road to the dreamed world title could not have started better for the host Francewho defeated the big favorite 27-13 New Zealand in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup, this Friday at the Stade de France, on the outskirts of the Parisian capital.

In a match with many errors by both teams and although the same tries were scored by each side (two), the contribution of French kicker Thomas Ramos (17 points) was decisive for the victory of the XV del Gallo, which in this way is placed leader of group A of the tournament.

France has become the particular bête noire of the three-time world champions, whom they have already beaten on three of the eight occasions in which they have faced each other in the World Cup.

Already in the last direct confrontation, in 2021, France won on the same stage (40-25), then ending a streak of 14 consecutive victories for the All Blacks who have since added many doubts and several defeats (also against Ireland and Argentina ).

The defeat, however, is not decisive for the future of the tournament, since both teams will inherit a fearsome rival in the quarterfinals: either the current world champion South Africa or the current number 1 in the ranking Ireland.

France will experience the great rugby festival for more than a month and a half, with 20 teams (for the first time three South Americans, Argentina, Uruguay and the rookie Chile) fighting in nine cities to be the successor, on November 28, of South Africa in the throne of world rugby.

A tournament that will also serve as a general rehearsal at the organizational level, especially in terms of transportation and security, in view of the Olympic Games that Paris will host in less than a year.