The French rugby players inflicted a historic defeat on New Zealand at the start of the World Cup

Rugby World Cup France: Group A: France v New Zealand, 8 September 2023. France's Cameron Woki, right.

Saint-Denis (France) – The Rugby World Cup in France opened with a surprise 27-13 win for the home team over New Zealand, who lost a group game for the first time in the history of the championships. The All Blacks had won 31 regular season matches before today's clash in Saint-Denis.

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Although New Zealand lost their captain Sam Cane due to injury shortly before kick-off, they entered the duel itself ideally, as they scored Mark Telea's first five after only 93 seconds. But the French made it 9:8 before the break, and even though Telea once again sent the three-time world champions into the lead 13:9 at the start of the second half, the home crowd turned the score around with an 80,000-strong cauldron.

Thomas Ramos scored 17 points for the French. , who converted five penalty kicks and one conversion after a five-pointer.

Both of today's opponents are big favorites in Group A, which also includes Italy, Uruguay and Namibia. The best two teams in the group will advance to the quarterfinals. The tournament, which from an organizational point of view is a precursor to the Paris Olympics 2024, will last until October 28.

Rugby World Cup in France:

Group A:

France – New Zealand 27:13 (9:8).