France stuns New Zealand's All Blacks in Rugby World Cup opener
Rugby
By
Washington Onyango
| Sep 09, 2023
France full-back Thomas Ramos kicked 17 points as the hosts overcame New Zealand in a riveting opening match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup at the Stade de France.
The All Blacks scored inside the opening two minutes when Mark Telea touched down Beauden Barrett’s precise cross-kick, but three Ramos penalties helped Les Bleus into a 9-8 half-time lead.
Telea’s second try, from Richie Mo’unga’s floated pass, put New Zealand back in front but after Damian Penaud was denied a try by Mo’unga’s tackle, France seized the momentum.
Penaud took Matthieu Jalibert’s pass to score his 30th test try and after a yellow card for All Blacks wing Will Jordan, two more Ramos penalties and a late Melvyn Jaminet try kicked off a party in Paris. [Additional reporting by World Rugby]
France now lead Group A with four points.
READ MORE
Senegal launches inquiry into Boeing jet runway crash
vivo ushers in a new era of portrait photography with the slim and premium-designed V30
Kuppet, TSC agree on promotion of 30,000 teachers
vivo V30 5G launching in Kenya: Step into the future with style
Inside Ruto's Sh16 trillion last-ditch plan to save Vision 2030
We have hit some good Vision 2030 milestones but missed key targets
Nissan X-Trail T30 an overhyped venerable SUV?
MPs accuse anti-graft body, DPP of collusion in Kemsa scandal probe
Action resumes on Saturday with Italy taking on Namibia, Italy playing Romania, Australia facing Georgia before England play Argentina in the last game of the day.