France defeat All Blacks in historic Rugby World Cup opener
Les Bleus defeated three-time Webb-Ellis Cup winners the All Blacks convincingly Friday at Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Second-half tries by winger Damian Penaud and replacement fullback Melvyn Jaminet helped seal France's historic 27-13 victory.
At last the much-anticipated Rugby World Cup opener. Over the years, Les Bleus and the All Blacks have met seven times in rugby world cups. Despite historic New Zealand dominance, the encounters have been unpredictable, exciting, and – depending on who you support – devastating. France’s victory on Friday evening was no exception.
Antoine Dupont's men defeated the All Blacks and brought about their first-ever loss during a World Cup pool match. Second-half tries by winger Damian Penaud in the 55th minute and replacement fullback Melvyn Jaminet in the 79th minute helped France to a convincing 29-13 victory at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, a suburb outside Paris.
There was nothing to separate France and New Zealand, rated 3rd and 4th in the world respectively, as they ran onto the pitch.
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