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This game didn't win France the World Cup and it didn't lose it for the All Blacks

The players of France are given a guard of honour by the players of New Zealand as they leave the field at full-time following the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Pool A match between France and New Zealand at Stade de France on September 08, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

This was just meant to be France’s night, and the host nation deservedly took the spoils at the Stade de Sauna in Paris.

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It was fate for the World Cup hosts to start with a big statement and New Zealand became the fatality on the night, in the process dropping their first ever pool game at a World Cup.

The Parisian crowd was there to party and open France’s World Cup in style, with expectations of greatness from their heroes in the unfamiliar white strip. The chorus of whistles and boos rained down accordingly as the bayed for the All Black scalp.

However, in hot sticky conditions it was the All Blacks who stormed out of the blocks to score within 90 seconds.

Rieko Ioane sliced through off a set-piece package where captain Ardie Savea played the foil perfectly from a carry formation in midfield.

Ioane’s blistering run left the crowd stunned, before a Beauden Barrett cross-field kick bounced up for Mark Telea moments later.

That first punch set the tone for the first half which was all about the All Blacks, with 44 per cent of the half’s territory played inside France’s 22.

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But France took the punches they threw and the All Blacks missed opportunities which proved costly.

Ethan de Groot coughed up the pill cold on one occasion pressing in France’s red zone.

Right on the tryline with France’s defence reeling towards Telea’s side the forwards never let the backs pull the trigger on a key penalty advantage . They settled for three but the chance to roll the dice went begging.

Near the end of the half continual short side switches failed to yield results when an offload by Codie Taylor sailed over the sideline.

Despite still being in the game down 9-8 at half-time, not getting enough reward for the advantages they enjoyed proved critical.

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France had managed to build a lead through Thomas Ramos’ boot with three penalties despite having just one per cent territory inside the All Blacks’ 22 in the half.

They simply did not make it down there, but played patient rugby built off the back of set-piece dominance where they troubled the All Blacks’ scrum and at the breakdown.

The late gamble to play Tupou Vaa’i at No 6 over Luke Jacobson after the injury to Sam Cane didn’t pay off, but whether Jacobson or openside Dalton Papali’i would have fared any better is not certain.

The French backrow of Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, and Francois Cros are world class, three monsters who top tackle counts and turn the ball over. Against the All Blacks makeshift trio, it was no fair match.

Ian Foster needs Shannon Frizell to balance out his best loose forward combination, and while Cane is not well liked by the public, he is the leader for a reason. He sets the example and has the physicality to match.

Whilst Brodie Retallick was a late insertion onto the bench, he didn’t play a lot of minutes which is needed against an opponent like this.

The scrum was an issue, particularly on De Groot’s side as he tried to contain the monster Uini Atonio. Tyrel Lomax would make some difference in stabilising that front row.

Despite the end scoreline, there is reason for optimism for the All Blacks. This was a genuine contest until Thomas Ramos’ 73rd minute penalty goal which built an 8-point lead and forced the All Blacks to chase.

France turned the screws after the Will Jordan yellow card with a pivotal period of pressure swung the momentum in their favour. He needs to change his reckless style of eyes-only for the ball. The chaser has to consider the jumper and pull out accordingly.

As the All Blacks emptied the rather lacklustre bench, comparatively speaking, they couldn’t stay in the contest.

Mark Telea gave everything you could have asked for and Richie Mo’unga was the most dangerous All Black on the pitch with some brilliant touches. His try saver on Damian Penaud was inspirational for the side.

Beauden Barrett was instrumental in the All Blacks kicking game and backfield, handling the exits with a spiral punt and cleaning up loose ends where necessary. His brother Scott was a beast in the engine room.

There are no excuses for the All Blacks, France simply were better on the night. But in more than a month’s time the two sides will shape up differently and there was enough there to suggest the result could be different.

The All Blacks are expected to have Cane, Frizell, Lomax, Retallick and Jordie Barrett back in the starting line-up.

France are expected to see only Jonathan Danty and Paul Willemse return.

France rugby deserved this moment after the results over the last four years, winning consistently at a level considered great.

But this game didn’t win France the World Cup and it didn’t lose it for the All Blacks.

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32 Comments
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B.J. Spratt 607 days ago

Argentina v All Blacks 13.59 gone. . .Cricket score All Blacks… See you all in the final.

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Backinblack 648 days ago

The score line doesn’t reflect the game…. It was a real contest until the 73rd minute…with 7 minutes to play… then very late the French realised they could lose it so they desperately pulled their fingers out. Played against the best side in the world at their home stadium in front of 80000 screaming fanatical supporters… Based on the fact that France has 30 professional teams in two divisions and NZ has only 5 professional teams the score line should have been more like 50-0 in France’s favour.

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darryn 648 days ago

The Allblacks team is in denial. Two big losses in a row, but every is still good and still 'on track'. England dominated Argentina with 14 men, but the fact that the allblacks went to 14 two weeks ago against SA was the main reason given why they lost, especially Jeff Wilson. Cmon

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CO 648 days ago

Big loss? The Allblacks lead until a silly push and straight after that a brain snap contact on the defensive jumper. This was a meaningless contest with several advantages now provided the 'loser' if they reach the final.

K
Kenward K. 648 days ago

'But this game didn’t win France the World Cup and it didn’t lose it for the All Blacks.'


Correct.

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sean 648 days ago

No ways is Ben saying anything negative towards his All Blacks but the truth of the matter is this team is not functioning, no doubt NZ fans are praying for Robertson

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Ross 607 days ago

What about now? No France no Ireland the ABs are now in the semi's 👍

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B.J. Spratt 649 days ago

Every New Zealander witnessed "a group of AB,s players who have just stayed too long"


They looked tired in Dunedin. They looked tired at Twickenham and they looked tired today.


Once again why do we take injured players to a World Cup?


Why wasn't Whitelock captain? Would it have made a difference?


I really can't remember when the " N.Z. Rugby public have been so "critical of the All Blacks, the coaching staff and the NZRFU.


I believe the New Zealand Rugby Public are the most decerning in the World.


Now can we beat Ireland or South Africa in the quarter final.


I have said they won't get out of the "Quarters" for months, so I am not going to change now.


What are the odds on Italy? Just imagine that?

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Ross 607 days ago

Looks like you are way off the mark 😀

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tom 649 days ago

I think NZ looked a bit desperate at times, particularly in the second half. France weren’t amazing but did enough. I had my money on NZ lifting the title but I now believe it is likely to be SA.

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GrahamVF 649 days ago

I really love my early morning Ben Smith read. This one reminds me of the Monty Python Black Knight skit. "Tis but a a scratch." (Looses another limb) "Ha - a mere flesh wound." This really is the worst AB team in the professional era. Not necessarily because it has the worst players but because of a combination of creeping, insidious ills and decisions starting in the Hansen era and coming to fruition at the 2023 World Cup. And yet somehow the New Zealand rugby writers and pundits just can't seem to come to terms with it. Do the players and coaches really believe their own press? And do the pundits and press genuinely believe the AB are just one game away from again becoming the all conquering force of 2015? Or is the hierarchy so patriarchally ingrained in New Zealand rugby circles that no one dare criticise? Where there is life there is hope, but really this patient is terminally ill and it would take a miracle of Lazarus proportions for the AB's to get past the semis.

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BMac 648 days ago

Great comment and so true

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ColinK 649 days ago

It did however show my beloved team the ABs are going home early. No surprises really I won some good money on the NZ TAB betting on France. Only made the bet to stave of the inevitable depression lol.

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Michael86 649 days ago

They once again looked like a team without a plan. I mean they couldn't even exit out their own half for goodness sake. What a disgrace

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BMac 649 days ago

Totally predictable outcome,. our small forwards and discipline is really poor at present, on field leadership is non existent, yet again Ardie Savea is a good player but a poor captain, Why we persist with Barrett at fullback kicking the ball away as a tactic and have him also as a tactic at first receiver instead of Mounga has been a failed tactic since 2019 and yet here we are still mucking around, The only positive is Mark Talea and Ian Foster who yet again has another first in his sublime effort to ruin the AB 100 yr dynasty. In what was both the largest loss the All Blacks have ever suffered in a Rugby World Cup and their first loss in the pool stages

Many of my previous comments prior all state the same thing, I put France 13+ to win this game at the TAB 5 days ago, thank you very much, our second half collapses in last 3 years is really mounting up

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ColinK 649 days ago

OK so lose to Italy next and Foster's record will be complete.

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razor 649 days ago

Couldn’t agree more. Jordan to full back then Leceister and Mark on the wings

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GL 649 days ago

Agree 100%. As in 2019 if we do not curb BB's aimless kicking we will not get past the QF

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Stephen 649 days ago

Spot on 👍 Plus our mental strength is not there & definitely in the forwards like the AB's of old (I know, as I witnessed it growing up watching Grizz Wylie, Ian Kirkpatrick, Brian Lochore, Peter Whiting, Andy Haden, Michael Jones, Zinzan, Jerlme, etc....the list is huge eh!). We don't have the mental "mongrel" collectively as we always traditionally had.......Plus the leadership must demand instant change on the field when required. "Hey Beauden, stop kicking away possession frivolously NOW!" "Hey Aaron. STOP those box kicks until you're at halfway, after you've had the forwards punch it up the middlexa few phases!".......

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DM 649 days ago

Not the best start but not the worst either, BB looked better but still doing mindless kicks, certainly not enough contestables, still plenty of room to move hope it's only upwards, please bring in Finau

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B.J. Spratt 649 days ago

Jesus Ben Smith, show some "Balls" and make a decision France or the All Blacks.


Weak jounalism is actually worse then "weak players"


They played the game in real time and made bad decisions.


You watched the game in the stand and can't make a decision.


Maybe you should consider commenting on the 'Kids Choir" who sang before the game.

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Brett 649 days ago

Hmmm…


Anything can happen in sport and the ABs may well still lift the title.


However, it’s hardly the ideal start! They are on a collision course with either Ireland or South Africa. The latter have recently inflicted their worst ever defeat and Ireland having pipped NZ at home.


Sad to see the ABs play at present which seems to lack shape, structure and substance- a bit like this article!

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fl 56 minutes ago
Ex-Wallaby laughs off claims Bath are amongst the best in the world

“Yes I wrote that, because you had Leinster as the best team in the world. What was that based on - winning the URC this season?”

It was based on Leinster’s performances over the course of this season, and on their trophy. If Bordeaux beat Toulouse then I’ll change my mind and move them to first. But as it is I expect Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Leinster to all finish with one trophy each, and with Leinster having produced the best week-on-week performances of the three.


“One of those teams won the league in each of those years so yes they were worse. If I was a fan of either of those four teams I would rather have been a fan of a team that won a trophy than didn’t.”

That’s true - I would too. With regard to Stormers I think their trophy was very much enabled by the fact that they weren’t playing in europe, so were able to rest their players much more than the non-SA teams were so I’m not sure whether I would or wouldn’t consider them to have had a better season than Leinster in 2022, but clearly Munster and Glasgow (respectively) had better seasons than Leinster in 2023 and 2024. But if I was a fan of one of those 3 teams I would rather be a fan of a team that won 66 URC+CC matches over the course of 3 seasons (Leinster) than a team that won 46 (Munster) or 42 (Glasgow). If you think trophies are literally the only thing that matters, do you think Blackburn Rovers are a more successful Premier League team than Tottenham Hotspur are?


“You contradict yourself alot. Trophies matter in one post and in the same post coming second consistently makes you better.”

Its going to get really frustrating if you’re not willing to read what I write. I said: “Trophies matter. They matter a lot. But so does winning games. So does making finals.” How does that contradict my assessment that Leinster were better than Stormers?


“I doubt Leinster would say they have been the better team in any of the seasons you keep going on about.”

Teams generally downplay talk of them being the best, so that wouldn’t surprise me. But crucially I don’t think Leinster were the best team in 2022, or in 2023, or in 2024, so I’m not sure what you think you’re responding to.


“Lets make it clear though - you are the one who went on and on about previous seasons with your deep dive into la Rochelle and Stormers etc.”

Yeah - I did that because you brought up Leinster’s trophyless record from 2022-2024, so I thought that was worth responding to. If you’d like though I can stop responding to the things you say?

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