France overcame conceding sloppy tries at the start of each half to beat New Zealand 29-13 in an intense opening match of the Rugby World Cup on Friday, ending the All Blacks’ run of 31 straight wins in the pool stage.
Prolific right winger Damian Penaud grabbed a crucial try 15 minutes into the second half, and France never let the lead go. Fullback Thomas Ramos punished All Blacks errors from the tee. He finished with 19 points from seven of nine goalkicks.
Mark Telea scored after just 93 seconds to give New Zealand an ideal start at Stade de France, and then again three minutes into the second half.
But replacement fullback Melvyn Jaminet capped a fine night with a try in the final seconds to give coach Fabien Galthie real hope of leading France to its first World Cup title after losing three finals.
France led by a flattering 9-8 at the interval.
Penaud’s 30th try for France came in the 55th minute when he took nimble flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert’s neat feed and dived into the right corner, moments after having the ball knocked from his grasp while diving for the tryline. Jalibert, replacing injured star Romain Ntamack, pumped his fists.
Ramos converted to put the French 16-13 ahead approaching the hour mark in a game of ferocious intensity. The noise level exploded when right winger Will Jordan was sin-binned for a hit on the airborne Ramos.
Both sides coped with injury.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane withdrew shortly before kickoff, while France hooker Julien Marchand lasted 12 minutes before going off with a thigh injury.
The French did not defy the haka, standing perfectly still. They were static, too, when Telea caught a cross-field kick from fullback Beauden Barrett before touching down in the left corner for an unconverted try.
Ramos slotted two penalties to put France ahead for the first time at 6-5. He and New Zealand flyhalf Richie Mo’unga traded penalties in a tit-for-tat first half in which France captain Antoine Dupont was kept quiet on his 50th test appearance.
Telea’s second try came after the All Blacks won a lineout. Ardie Savea’s chip was gathered by Jordan and, with the French retreating, centre Rieko Ioane looped a flat pass to Salea, who stopped for the bounce and sprinted away clear. He cupped his eyes to let everyone know how good his vision was.
But Ramos was also seeing the ball well.
He nailed another penalty late before Jaminet converted his own score to help France to a second straight home win against the All Blacks in Paris, after winning 40-25 two years ago.
On Saturday, England plays Argentina, Australia plays Georgia, Ireland plays Romania and Italy plays Namibia.