France beats New Zealand 29-13 in Rugby World Cup opener

afr.com:

Paris | France overcame conceding sloppy tries at the start of each half to beat New Zealand 29-13 in an intense opening match of the Rugby World Cup on Friday, ending the All Blacks’ run of 31 straight wins in the pool stage.

Prolific right winger Damian Penaud grabbed a crucial try 15 minutes into the second half, and France never let the lead go. Fullback Thomas Ramos punished All Blacks errors from the tee. He finished with 19 points from seven of nine goalkicks.

Damian Penaud’s try proved decisive. AP

Mark Telea scored after just 93 seconds to give New Zealand an ideal start at Stade de France, and then again three minutes into the second half.

But replacement fullback Melvyn Jaminet capped a fine night with a try in the final seconds to give coach Fabien Galthié real hope of leading France to its first World Cup title after losing three finals.

France led by a flattering 9-8 at the interval.

Penaud’s 30th try for France came in the 55th minute when he took nimble flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert’s neat feed and dived into the right corner, moments after having the ball knocked from his grasp while diving for the tryline. Jalibert, replacing injured star Romain Ntamack, pumped his fists.

Ramos converted to put the French 16-13 ahead approaching the hour mark in a game of ferocious intensity. The noise level exploded when right winger Will Jordan was sin-binned for a hit on the airborne Ramos.

Both sides coped with injury.

Rieko Ioane of New Zealand is tackled by Yoram Moefana and Damian Penaud of France. Getty

All Blacks captain Sam Cane withdrew shortly before kickoff, while France hooker Julien Marchand lasted 12 minutes before going off with a thigh injury.

The French did not defy the haka, standing perfectly still.