2023-09-08 19:10:51
Time to shine for the XV of France. The Blues are taking part in the first match of the Rugby World Cup on Friday September 8, a clash between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France (kick-off at 9:15 p.m.). After an opening ceremony designed by Jean Dujardin on the theme of France of yesteryear, a dream poster awaits the public to officially launch the competition. This opening match should be played out on details, between a French team that has been spectacular in recent years and the All Blacks, triple world champions but who are undoubtedly less frightening than in previous editions. Follow our live.
>> Rugby World Cup: aggression on the ball carrier, kicking game, management of emotions… The keys to the France-New Zealand match
Notable absences, but confidence remains. The French XV lost several key players during the preparation phase, starting with fly-half Romain Ntamack, who suffered a serious knee injury and was out of the entire competition. Prop Cyril Baille (calf), second row Paul Willemse (thigh) and center Jonathan Danty (hamstring) are also missing once morest the All Blacks, but they should be able to play in the rest of this World Cup. That said, even without these executives, the France team has made a strong impression in recent weeks, notably during the overwhelming victory (41-17) once morest Australia during the last preparation match.
The nations of the Southern Hemisphere are (almost) no longer scary. Between 2012 and 2019, the Blues only won two of their 23 matches once morest the three big nations of the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand and South Africa). But since 2021 and the arrival of Fabien Galthié on the French bench, the trend has been completely reversed (which is also valid for other European nations): five victories in seven matches.
A much-anticipated haka. It is, just following the national anthems, the first kick-off of the match, when the New Zealanders will perform this ritual dance, which can have a destabilizing effect on the opponent. There is no doubt that the Blues have thought regarding their attitude during this very important moment. “We try to challenge, at least through the look, to show that we are in the game and that we are ready to take up the challenge”advises former international winger Vincent Clerc on franceinfo sport, who has known a few.
Cooling breaks during matches. While Ile-de-France is placed on heatwave orange alert, the seven matches to be played in this opening weekend of the World Cup will be marked by weather, allowing the players to drink. These refreshment breaks will take place during a normal interruption of play. “The process will be managed by the referee”, specifies World Rugby, the organizing body, in a press release. The thermometer will approach 30°C when France-New Zealand kicks off.
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