Sport | Dream start as France outmuscle All Blacks in Paris

• Hosts France got their Rugby World Cup off to a perfect start on Friday in Paris.
• They defeated New Zealand 27-13 in an encounter where both teams scored two tries each.
• It was New Zealand’s first-ever defeat in the pool stages of the Rugby World Cup.

Fullback Thomas Ramos kicked 17 points to help France to a thrilling 27-13 victory over New Zealand in Friday’s opening game of the Rugby World Cup.

RECAP | France 27-13 New Zealand

Ramos kicked five penalties and a conversion at a sold-out Stade de France as the hosts, leading contenders for the title, started the tournament in style.

Winger Mark Telea claimed two tries for three-time winners All Blacks, who had led 13-9 with more than half an hour to play but went on to lose their first-ever World Cup pool game in hot and humid conditions in Paris.

After a colourful opening ceremony, the All Blacks’ Haka was well respected by the sold-out Stade de France crowd as well as by Les Bleus.

New Zealand made a late change as captain Same Cane was ruled out, Tupou Vaa’i coming in from the bench with Dalton Papali’i movin