The wait is finally over as the 2023 Rugby World Cup gets underway this week, with the host nation, France, taking on New Zealand in the opening match at Stade de France on Friday evening.
This promises to be a titanic battle between the two sides that are not only expected to qualify from Pool A for the knockout stages but are also favourite and second favourite to go on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup at this same venue on October 28.
Match preview
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France come into this competition with the expectation of the nation on them as they aim to claim their maiden World Cup title, having finished as runners-up on three separate occasions, most recently against this opponent in 2011.
Les Bleus held the world's number-one ranking for the majority of the last 18 months, but after relinquishing the Six Nations title to Ireland earlier this year, they were pushed to second place and also saw their 12-match winning streak brought to an end.
While Fabien Galthie's side were notably better than most of the nations in that competition, they were beaten by Ireland with relative ease and were pushed uncomfortably close to defeat by Italy in their opening match.
In the build-up to the World Cup, France took on Scotland in a warm-up match at Murrayfield, where they lost 25-21, and followed that up with a far-from-inspiring 30-27 victory over the same opponent a week later in Saint-Etienne.
With that, Les Bleus fell all the way to fourth place in the world rankings but have managed to move back to third in recent weeks with wins over Fiji and Australia in the second half of August.
However, while the hosts may not be at their sparkling best at the moment, they will have the lion's share of 80,000 fans behind them here in Paris and will be chomping at the bit to get their revenge over this opponent, who have denied them the title twice in the past.
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Even as a neutral, just the thought of the All Blacks performing the haka in front of a hostile away crowd in the opening match of the World Cup is enough to give any rugby-lover goosebumps leading up to this match.
The All Blacks dominated the Southern Hemisphere's heavyweights in the 2023 Rugby Championship, as they secured their third consecutive title and ended the shortened version of the competition unbeaten.
Ian Foster's side extended their record to 10 matches unbeaten in that competition and overtook France into second place in the world rankings, but like Les Bleus, their warm-up campaign could have been more convincing.
Following the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks faced the Wallabies at home and edged them to a 23-20 win, though their greater concern came a couple of weeks later when the Springboks handed them a record-breaking 35-7 beating at Twickenham.
Granted, New Zealand were reduced to 14 men early in the match and made a few changes to their squad, but the result was far from ideal and with such a tame performance being delivered in the match directly preceding a World Cup opener, it certainly created a few unwanted nerves for players and fans alike.
However, having had two weeks to study tape of what went wrong, New Zealand can be expected to be much-improved here, and they will know that a win in this match will set them as the out-and-out favourites to go on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
France Rugby World Cup form:
France form (all competitions):
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
New Zealand Rugby World Cup form:
New Zealand form (all competitions):
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
Team News
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Coach Galthie has had to make a few key decisions over the last few weeks, with Romain Ntamack, Jonathan Danty and Paul Willemse all ruled out in the lead-up to the competition.
Racing 92 lock Cameron Woki steps into the starting 15 in place of Willemse, while arguably the world's best player, Antoine Dupont, will line up with Matthieu Jalibert in the halves pairing.
Foster confirmed on Wednesday that Jordie Barrett would miss the match through injury, and he will join Brodie Retallick, Emoni Narawa, Shannon Frizell and Tyrel Lomax on the sidelines.
Sam Cane will lead the All Blacks, while Nepo Laulala and Richie Mo'unga will earn their 50th caps for their country in this one.
Scott Barrett, meanwhile, is free to play despite his red card against South Africa in their final warm-up game.
France starting lineup: 15. Thomas Ramos, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Gael Fickou, 12. Yoram Moefana, 11. Gabin Villiere, 10. Matthieu Jalibert, 9. Antoine Dupont (captain), 8. Gregory Alldritt, 7. Charles Ollivon, 6. Francois Cros, 5. Thibaud Flament, 4. Cameron Woki, 3. Uini Atonio, 2. Julien Marchand, 1. Reda Wardi
Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18. Dorian Aldegheri, 19. Romain Taofifienua, 20. Paul Boudehent, 21. Maxime Lucu, 22. Arthur Vincent, 23. Melvyn Jaminet
New Zealand starting lineup: 15. Beauden Barrett, 14. Will Jordan, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 11. Mark Telea, 10. Richie Mo'Unga, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Ardie Savea, 7. Sam Cane (captain), 6. Dalton Papalai'i, 5. Scott Barrett, 4. Samuel Whitelock, 3. Nepo Laulala, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaai'i, 20. Luke Jacobson, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. David Havili, 23. Leicester Fainga'anuku
Head To Head
New Zealand and France have faced off in a total of 62 Test matches. Out of these encounters, the All Blacks emerged victorious in 48 games, while France claimed victory in 13 matches, and one ended in a draw.
This will mark the eighth time these teams face each other at the World Cup, setting a new record for the most encounters between two countries in the tournament's history. Their initial meeting occurred in the very first World Cup in 1987, when they clashed in the final match.
Over nine tournaments, they have crossed paths at various stages of the competition, including one pool match in 2011, two quarter-finals in 2007 and 2015, a single semi-final showdown in 1999, a bronze medal match in 2003, and two memorable finals in 1987 and 2011.
We say: France 17-20 New Zealand
Opening matches do not come any bigger than this one, and the crowd inside the Stade de France will be buzzing for a heavyweight contest which truly could go either way.
This France team looks more capable and consistent than previous ones that have fallen short in World Cups, meaning that the weight of home pressure may not have quite as big an impact as it did in the past.
However, this is New Zealand at a World Cup; they know what it takes to win huge games like this, and they have won every pool game they have ever played in this competition - the one blemish on their record being a 'draw' last time out as a result of Typhoon Hagibis forcing their match against Italy to be cancelled.
It should be a brilliant match, but we are backing the All Blacks to just about come out on top.
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