Rugby World Cup openers don’t get much hotter than this.
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The hosts, rejuvenated below head coach Fabien Galthié, towards the three-time champions – who head into the event off the again of a record-breaking 35-7 loss towards South Africa at Twickenham two weeks in the past.
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France haven’t misplaced on dwelling soil since Scotland beat them at an empty Stade de France within the COVID-19 affected 2021 Six Nations.
It’s their solely defeat in France within the Galthié period.
New Zealand have by no means misplaced a pool section match on the Rugby World Cup.
Something has to present in Saint-Denis on Friday, 8 September.
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FIXTURE: France v New Zealand
VENUE: Stade de France
CAPACITY: 82 000
KICK-OFF: 21:15 (SA time)
HISTORY
This is the eighth time these two sides have met in Rugby World Cups.
The All Blacks have received 5 of the earlier seven fixtures – together with the finals of each the 1987 and 2011 tournaments, and the quarter-final of the 2015 event after they got here inside three factors of recording their biggest-ever win towards Les Bleus.
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MEMORABLE MATCH
The 1999 semi-final at Twickenham has gone down within the annals as one of many best rugby matches in historical past, not to mention Rugby World Cup historical past.
Two Jonah Lomu tries gave the All Blacks what ought to have been an unassailable 24-10 lead after 46 minutes.
But then France scored 33 factors in 28 exceptional minutes – Christophe Dominici, Richard Dourthe and Philippe Bernat-Salles all crossing for tries in entrance of an astonished 70 000 crowd – as they roared again to win 43-31.
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KEY TALKING POINT
The apparent query is whether or not this France, below Galthié – who has engineered a exceptional turnaround in fortunes for the nationwide aspect since formally taking cost in 2020 – can inflict a first-ever pool section defeat on the All Blacks at a Rugby World Cup.
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PLAYER HEAD-TO-HEAD
Matthieu Jalibert v Richie Mo’unga: There are massive clashes everywhere in the pitch on this showstopper of a Rugby World Cup opener. Antoine Dupont towards Aaron Smith; Gregory Alldritt versus Ardie Savea; rising star Thibaud Flament towards Scott Barrett.
But, within the absence of the injured Romain Ntamack, 24-year-old Jalibert’s problem is to handle the sport and, maybe, present the decisive spark of aptitude.
Opposite him, the All Blacks’ first-choice 10, who will probably be decided to put down his personal marker on the match from the beginning.
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STATS
The exceptional 1999 semi-final apart, France’s solely different win over New Zealand in Rugby World Cups got here within the 2007 quarter-final on the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, after they fought again from 13-3 down at half-time to win 20-18.
France flanker Thierry Dusautoir scored a attempt – and made an astonishing 38 tackles within the comeback win.
REFEREE
Jaco Peyper (South Africa). This is Peyper’s third World Cup in a row as a referee.
TEAMS
France
15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Reda Wardi
Substitutes: 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
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 Papali’i, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Substitutes: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 David Havili, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku
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