9 September 2023 Rugby World Cup. Updated 10 September. A son of Samoa, Ardie Suemalo Savea, leads the All Blacks out onto the Rugby World Cup opener at Stade de France, Paris.
THE DYNAMIC Ardie Savea has continued to go from strength to strength since making his debut for the All Blacks against Wales in 2016.
The 29 year old is playing his 76th test match for the All Blacks.
The Samoans in the All Blacks 2023 Rugby World Cup Squad includes Nepo Laulala, Dalton Papalii, Richie Mo’unga, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown and Mark Tele’a.
Nepo Laulala runs onto the first match of the RWC2023, in his half century 50th test match for the All Blacks!
Starting also for France is Uini Atonio. The 33 year old prop is a former Samoa Under 20s (2009).
The hosts led at halftime 9-8 with three penalty goals. The All Blacks came out firing and scored an early try in the first two minutes of play..
At the time of publication, Mark Tele’a just crossed over for his second try after Ardie put in a perfectly placed chip ball!
45th minute: 13-9 to All Blacks.
Faamalolosi i alo ma fanau o le atunuu o loo tausinio i le taamilosaga a le lalolagi.
Updated: The All Blacks have come under heavy scrutiny after losing the Rugby World Cup opener by 27-13 to Les Bleus infront of a sold out 78k spectators at France’s national stadium.
Antoine Dupont’s men defeated three-time Webb-Ellis Cup winners with second-half tries by winger Damian Penaud in the 55th minute and replacement fullback Melvyn Jaminet in the 79th minute.
The defeat would be the All Black’s first ever pool match loss at a Rugby World Cup.
After a closely contested first half, the French got the edge because the All Blacks conceded too many penalties which Thomas Ramo was able to convert. The French fullback scored 17 of France’s 27 points with his famously accurate right foot.
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.
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