FRANCE – NEW ZEALAND. For its first match in this Rugby World Cup at home, the XV of France challenges New Zealand and its All-Blacks in a clash. TV broadcast, time… Discover all the information on this gala poster.
Rugby fans couldn’t have wished for better: a France – New Zealand in the opening match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. While the Blues are going to start a World Cup at home where they are among the favorites, this inaugural poster will be marked by absentees on the XV side of France. Indeed, Romain Ntamack (forfeit for the competition) and Cyril Baille (forfeit for the first match) will be replaced by Matthieu Jalibert and Reda Wardi. This Wednesday noon, Fabien Galthié gave his list of players who will face the Blacks this Friday (at 9:15 p.m.). Uncertain after a hamstring injury, Jonathan Danty will also be absent while Yoram Moefana will take his place alongside Gaël Fickou. After the victory in the last preparation match against Australia on July 27, Fabien Galthié did not fail to praise the All-Blacks: “Since I am being told about the competition that will come, the thing I’m sure it’s that the New Zealanders have just won the Rugby Championship. They remained on eleven victories in a row. For us, they remain the All Blacks, three-time World Cup winners. And over time, They’ve been the best team in the world since rugby has existed. On September 8, we’ll have the best team in the world against us.”
On the New Zealand side, the Blacks enter this World Cup in second place behind Ireland. Before facing the XV of France, the New Zealand coach returned this Monday at a press conference to the case of Jordie Barrett, injured in the left knee: “He has a problem in his left knee. We preferred to preserve it. It’s just a small injury. We just don’t want to take any risks. We’ll wait and see how he responds to the treatment. He will receive further treatment tomorrow (Tuesday, Editor’s note). We prefer to be careful, that’s it. is all. It’s only the beginning of the week.” A major absence to be expected for the Blacks who will face the Blues so Brodie Retallick (knee), third row Shannon Frizell (tendon) and pillar Tyrel Lomax (leg) have already withdrawn for the clash. Sent off on August 25 during New Zealand’s big defeat against South Africa for a dangerous clearance, Scott Barrett will be present against the Blues.
The kick-off of the first match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup between the XV of France and New Zealand is scheduled for Friday, September 8 at 9:15 p.m. at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis (France). South African Jaco Peyper will be the referee.
Holder of the World TV rights with France Télévisions and M6, TF1 will broadcast the inaugural meeting between the XV of France and New Zealand.
If you want to watch Les Bleus’ first match at the Rugby World Cup against the All-Blacks on your computer, smartphone or tablet, you will need to create an account on MyTF1.
France: Ramos – Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villière – (o) Jalibert, (m) Dupont – Ollivon, Alldritt, Cros – Flament, Woki – Atonio, Marchand, Wardi.
Nouvelle Zélande (composition probable) : Jordan – Fainga’anuku, Stevenson – Lienert-Brown, Ennor – (o) McKenzie, (m) Christie – Finau, Cane, Savea – S.Barrett, Whitelock – Williams, Taukei’aho, Laulala.
