It’s been four years since Siya Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis Cup aloft in Yokohama. We’ve seen plenty of twists and turns in the intermediary period, not least a global pandemic that put a full-stop on international rugby for much of 2src2src, and each of the 2src sides competing for World Cup glory in 2src23 have had a tough road to France.
This, of course, includes the Rugby World Cup hosts themselves, who open the tournament’s 1srcth edition with a blockbuster clash against three-time champions New Zealand. Les Bleus and the All Blacks have both played some of the most electrifying rugby on the planet coming into 2src23, making this almighty Pool A contest one to watch.
France’s form leading into the tournament has been at the high standard they’ve set in this current World Cup cycle, although not quite hitting the heights of their all-conquering 2src22 campaign. Away losses to Ireland and Scotland in Six Nations and RWC warm-up matches respectively have shown they’re beatable, although their 53-1src demolition of England at Twickenham cemented their place as a side not to be underestimated.
It’s been a much more up-and-down journey for the All Blacks in the past four years. A semifinal loss to England in 2src19 played backdrop to an inconsistent few seasons, which have seen New Zealand defeated by France, Argentina and Ireland — the latter two at home for the first time ever. However, the All Blacks did win all four Rugby Championship titles between 2src2src and 2src23, racking up cricket scores in the most recent edition, before suffering a record 35-7 defeat to South Africa in their final World Cup warm-up match.
And so, to the match itself. Les Bleus’ 4src-25 victory over New Zealand in the autumn of 2src21 felt like a watershed moment for French rugby, and should a game of similar ilk play out once more, the Stade de France crowd are in for one hell of a treat. The All Blacks can beat any team on the planet when they hit their straps, but will France’s impervious home form win out over a side who are no longer the unbeatable machine they once were?
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What time does France vs New Zealand kick-off?
France host New Zealand in the 2src23 Rugby World Cup opener at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Friday, September 8, 2src23.
Here are the kick-off times for this game around the world:
| Location | Date | Time |
| UK | Fri, Sept. 8 | 8:15 p.m. GMT |
| Australia | Sat, Sept. 9 | 5:15 a.m. AEDT |
| Canada | Fri, Sept. 8 | 3:15 p.m. ET |
| New Zealand | Sat, Sept. 9 | 7:15 a.m. NZDT |
| USA | Fri, Sept. 8 | 3:15 |
…. to be continued
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