France vs New Zealand: Rugby World Cup kick-off Match Thread
France vs New Zealand: Rugby World Cup kick-off Match Thread
Kickoff Time 19:15 UTC
How to watch in your country: https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/where-to-watch-and-broadcast-partners
Each Countries Starting Lineups
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings France Wins 1 Draws 0 New Zealand Wins 4
France Injuries: Jonathan Danty Romain Ntamack Paul Willemse Cyril Baille Anthony Jelonch
All Black Injuries: Tyrel Lomax Brodie Retallick Shannon Frizell Jordie Barrett Emoni Narawa
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Didn't recover after the yellow. France here looking almost certain finalists. Sunday just got more interesting!
Too many penalties conceded from the All Blacks
Yup, 4-11 a telling stat at 70'
Got to play to the ref! But ABs also over playing with a lack of physical dominance. NH vs SH gap has almost certainly shut after this
Yeah I think they weathered the yellow ok, but the holding on penalty against Telea around that period, then the 2nd penalty from Jordan taking out the defending jumper really turned it.
ABs still haven't figured out how to stop the current meta of piggy back penalties down field. Some of the early scrum penalties were a bit harsh, but overall it shows that International rugby is about playing as little rugby as you can in your own half, and going for holding on penalties when on defence.
The ABs still haven't regularly managed to play like that, so if they're not dominating the scoreboard which forces the other team to play rugby instead of waiting for the referee then they struggle to win.
Obviously I don't like the way international rugby is played these days - but its on the ABs to adapt to that, and they've had since before the 2019 world cup and still haven't.