France-Nouvelle-Zélande: Les Bleus Contournent l’Obstacle All Blacks et Signent leur Première Victoire de ce Mondial
Article by Pierre Godon – France Télévisions
Published on September 8, 2023 at 16:33 – Updated on September 9, 2023 at 00:02
In a spectacular showdown at the Stade de France, the French national rugby team, known as the XV de France, secured a victory over the reigning three-time world champions, the All Blacks, in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup. Led by Antoine Dupont, the French team started their journey in the tournament on a high note, winning with a score of 27-13.
First Win for Les Bleus
It was a dream start for the French team, who demonstrated their brilliance on the field. Their victory against the All Blacks on Friday, September 8 marks their first win in the Rugby World Cup. The match took place after a mesmerizing opening ceremony with a nostalgic theme showcasing the essence of France‘s history, curated by Jean Dujardin.
The highly anticipated opening clash primarily hinged on fine details. The French team, who have been spectacular in recent years, faced off against the All Blacks, who have dominated the tournament as triple world champions. However, the All Blacks seem to evoke less fear among their opponents compared to previous editions.
Key Absences, but Confidence Persists
The French team had to cope with the absence of several key players during their preparation phase. Romain Ntamack, the talented fly-half, suffered a severe knee injury, ruling him out for the entire competition. Additionally, Cyril Baille, a prop, Paul Willemse, a lock, and Jonathan Danty, a centre, were also absent due to injuries. However, the French team has left a strong impression in recent weeks, particularly with their resounding victory of 41-17 against Australia in their final preparation match.
The power dynamic between the nations of the Southern Hemisphere and those of Europe has shifted. Between 2012 and 2019, Les Bleus won only two out of 23 matches against the major Southern Hemisphere nations: Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. However, since Fabien Galthié took charge as head coach in 2021, the trend has completely reversed for France (as well as for other European nations), with five wins in seven matches.
A Highly Anticipated Haka
One of the most anticipated moments of the match was the traditional haka performed by the New Zealand team, right after the national anthems. The haka, a Maori ceremonial dance, can have a destabilizing effect on the opposing team. The French team undoubtedly strategized their response and attitude during this crucial moment. Vincent Clerc, a former international wing who experienced the haka on multiple occasions, advises, “We try to challenge, at least through eye contact, to show that we are fully in the game and ready to face the challenge.” However, the All Blacks performed their haka without their captain, Sam Crane, who was unavailable for the match.
Refreshment Breaks During Matches
As the Paris region is under an orange heatwave alert, the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup will see seven matches played under hot conditions. However, World Rugby, the governing body of the sport, has introduced scheduled refreshment breaks during normal game interruptions to allow the players to hydrate. The temperature is expected to approach 30°C at the kickoff of the France-Nouvelle Zélande match.
With this impressive win, the XV de France has instilled confidence not only in themselves but also among their supporters. As the tournament unfolds, we will eagerly watch the French team’s journey, hoping for more victories against formidable opponents. This triumph against the All Blacks underlines the potential of Les Bleus as they aim to conquer the Rugby World Cup on home soil.
<< photo by Patrick Case >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.
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