The Stade de France prepares to lift the curtain on the Rugby World Cup
(Getty Images)
The 2023 Rugby World Cup will get underway tonight with a mouth-watering contest between hosts France and three-time champions New Zealand in Paris.
The All Blacks received the Rugby Championship in July to place themselves because the event favourites, however a subsequent thrashing by reigning world champions South Africa, in addition to accidents to key personnel, has seen query marks raised over whether or not Ian Foster’s group can declare the Webb Ellis Cup for the third time in 4 makes an attempt. New Zealand have by no means misplaced a World Cup pool recreation, however assignments don’t get a lot harder than France on house soil.
The French could have come up in need of Six Nations grand slam winners Ireland within the spring, however they start the World Cup stuffed with confidence following a dominant warm-up win over Australia, and they’ll have vocal house assist within the Stade de France this night. They even have the posh of the most effective scrum-half on the earth conducting proceedings within the nice Antoine Dupont.
Follow all the newest from France vs New Zealand beneath:
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Breaking: New Zealand captain Sam Cane dominated out
An enormous blow to the All Blacks so near the beginning of the sport: captain Sam Cane has been dominated out with a late harm. Dalton Papali’i replaces him at flanker.
Lawrence Ostlere8 September 2023 19:41
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World Rugby rankings: Which group is prime forward of World Cup?
Take a have a look at our rankings forward of the event…
Two a long time on from England’s triumph in 2003, each the hosts France and Ireland will harbour actual hope of including a second northern hemisphere nation’s title to the Webb Ellis Cup.
The two are a part of a lead quartet which have distanced themselves on the prime of the World Rugby rankings forward of the event. England, Wales and Australia, in the meantime, have fallen down after struggling to hit kind up to now in 2023.
Lawrence Ostlere8 September 2023 19:39
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Why this Rugby World Cup feels completely different for the weak All Blacks
Can New Zealand discover their greatest kind in France? It’s a Rugby World Cup and New Zealand are among the many favourites with the bookies – on the floor, you’d say that some issues by no means change. But this time, it feels completely different.
Read our full preview of the All Blacks, by Luke Baker:
Lawrence Ostlere8 September 2023 19:35
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President Macron booed earlier than World Cup opener
President Marcon is closely booed as he takes the stage.
“I wish you all a fantastic World Cup in France,” he says, “full of courage and panache… The time has come. I now declare the Rugby World Cup open!”
His speech ends with loud cheers across the Stade de France.
President Macron stands beside the Webb Ellis Trophy
(AFP through Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere8 September 2023 19:31
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World Rugby chief Bill Beaumont speaks
“We know that you will be magnificent hosts in the coming weeks, in stadia, in your villages, your towns, your cities, and in your hearts….”
The remainder of his phrases are principally drowned out by a hearty rendition of La Marseillaise from the group. I daresay a speech from a sporting administrator tends to kill the pre-match buzz considerably. Up subsequent, President Macron…
Lawrence Ostlere8 September 2023 19:27
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Rugby World Cup opening ceremony underneath manner
There is now an enormous Eiffel Tower within the centre of the sector because the actors and dancers make their manner off to the facet to gee up the group. It’s all been a bit mad however in equity, the Stade de France is pumping. This goes to be unforgettable rugby match, when it will definitely breaks out.
The Eiffel Tower erected in the midst of the Stade de France
(Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere8 September 2023 19:22
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Rugby World Cup opening ceremony underneath manner
Some photos from this… eye-catching… opening ceremony:
French actor Jean Dujardin takes half within the opening ceremony… beside a hen
(AFP through Getty Images)
Dancing through the opening ceremony
(AFP through Getty Images)
F1 driver George Russell in attendance
(Getty Images)
President Macron smiles from the stands
(AFP through Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere8 September 2023 19:15
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France vs New Zealand: Is Sam Cane injured?
Some potential group information to regulate, from New Zealand Herland reporter Liam Napier – as but unconfirmed, however it will be an enormous blow to New Zealand if it’s true that their captain, flanker Sam Cane, is injured.
Lawrence Ostlere8 September 2023 19:15
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Rugby World Cup opening ceremony underneath manner
The World Cup’s opening ceremony is underneath manner on the pitch on the Stade de France, and it’s not precisely Les Misérables. There’s lots of people operating round a fictional village to accordion music. One man is a baker. Another is supposed to be a hen, I believe. A girl in a pink gown is dancing.
Lawrence Ostlere8 September 2023 19:10
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Ardie Savea: All Blacks star trying to information New Zealand again to the summit
Four years on, and the All Blacks have stooped to fourth on the earth rankings, lowly by their very own excessive expectations, and suffered a demoralising 35-7 thrashing by the hands of defending champions South Africa in a pre-World Cup warm-up at Twickenham.
Despite that, they head to France amongst the favourites and eyeing up a return to the summit of world rugby. To accomplish that, they should depend on the expertise and capabilities of a few of their star gamers. Few shall be extra necessary to that effort than the commanding again row star, Ardie Savea.
Lawrence Ostlere8 September 2023 19:09
