France vs New Zealand – Rugby World Cup LIVE: The hosts hoping to make winning start as they take on fellow favourites the All Blacks in opening clash

As Nik just said, the news from the field is that All Blacks captain Sam Cane is missing from tonight’s game.

He was injured yesterday and Tupou Vaa’i now starts at six o’clock.

Here is Nik Simon’s take on the ceremony.

“Lots of jeers for Emmanuel Macron as the French president takes the microphone to declare the World Cup open. The smoke clears above the stadium following a spectacular flyover. There’s a buzz around this one!

‘Hard blow for New Zealand as captain Sam Cane withdraws due to an injury picked up during yesterday’s captain’s run. Meanwhile, it’s time to sing again…’

Beaumont tries to silence the spectators. It will not arrive.

In English, he talks about the origins of rugby and how there is no better place to celebrate its 200th anniversary than in France.

He finished by thanking those involved in preparing for the tournament and looking ahead to the next seven weeks.

Macron then arrives at the bar to a series of boos. Politics, I suppose.

He said something about France being the focus of rugby for the next few weeks – a revolutionary statement – ​​and he made Francr grow a little (a lot).

He ends by declaring the tournament open.

Oh no, a few of them do.

Several fireworks displays outside the stadium put an end to the proceedings.

I really enjoyed that, actually.

Sir Bill Beaumont and Emmanuel Macron will deliver the opening speeches.

The flags of all the competing countries are now on display while actors and volunteers move around outside the arena to the sound of a popular tune.

I don’t know them, but 60,000 French people know them, and they’re having a blast.

Some planes unveil the colors of the French flag before a crowd of guys surf over some volunteers.

Oh, William Webb Ellis is here!

A big fight breaks out over the hat and the man who invented rugby wants to make sure the game is fair. “Players are artists,” he says.

I’ll be honest, I don’t totally understand what’s going on, but so far it’s been a great deal in terms of food, music and fashion.

It’s meant to be a “poetic and colorful journey,” full of both “humor and self-deprecation.”

The fashionista’s hat just flew off. It’s all part of the show, with several men now trying to get the hat back.

There are several people on the ground for the show, including French celebrities.

This is what the organizers of the tournament declared on the show: “These guests of honor, from the world of cinema, music, dance, urban culture, but also gastronomy and crafts, will be at the heart of this opening ceremony. They will take the 80,000 supporters of the Stade de France and millions of television viewers on a poetic and colorful journey, through a story of love and fraternity.

There’s a lot of dancing and everyone seems very happy, that’s for sure.

There is a man – Jean Duhardin – who uses a drumstick as a rugby ball to begin with.

He now takes his chopsticks to the field.

What a proud moment this must be for France and its people.

While waiting for the opening ceremony…

Another man we have in France, Chris Foy, took to the field before tonight’s opening match.

The Stade de France is already full of action and packed with excited spectators and tonight is shaping up to be a huge match for France, who of course have chosen to face the All Blacks this evening.

It’s almost time for the opening ceremony, a big moment for any host country. This is of course France.

The ceremony aims to move away from traditional styles, going back in time to tell the story of French culture using a series of actors and volunteers.

Jean Duhardin is an actor and co-writer of this ceremony, and will direct it because the individuals embody the culture and art of living of France, I am told.

Two of our collaborators present in France for the tournament, Nik Simon and Kevin Quigley, will document their travels across the country during the tournament.

The first episode is now available and can be viewed below.

The preparation hasn’t been ideal for New Zealand, who lost 35-7 in their final warm-up match against South Africa, but the starting XV had four chances.

Anton Lienert-Brown and Nepo Laulala are among those entering. Scott Barrett starts despite his red card against the Springboks.

New Zealand: B Barrett, Jordan, Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Telea, Mo’unga, Smith, De Groot, Taylor, Laulala, Whitelock, S Barrett, Papalii, Cane, Savea.

Replacements: Taukei’aho, Tu’ungafasi, Newell, Vaa’i, Jacobson, Christie, Havili, Fainga’anuku.

So, let’s take a look at the teams for tonight. Welcome France first.

Jonathan Danty and Cyril Baille will be absent for the next few weeks, while others, including fly-half Romain Ntamack, will miss the tournament altogether.

France: Ramos, Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villière, Jalibert, Dupont, Wardi, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Flament, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt.

Substitutions: Mauvaka, Gros, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Boudehent, Lucu, Vincent, Jaminet.

On paper, we have the two tournament favorites facing off tonight. A potential dress rehearsal for the final.

In truth, there won’t be any huge consequences for whoever loses tonight.

With Namibia, Italy and Uruguay as the other three teams in Pool A, both teams in attendance tonight will feel comfortable about their chances of qualifying for the next phase, whatever happens this evening.

But tonight’s win will go a long way towards first place and will be huge for the mental advantage for the rest of the tournament.

And there is a history between the two sides. New Zealand’s victories in 1987 and 2011, France’s comebacks in 1999 and 2007… No team has competed so much in the World Cup.

It’s the battle of the heavyweights.

Good evening everyone and welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage of the opening Rugby World Cup match between France and New Zealand.

After what seems like months of discussions, the competition has arrived and what courage we have to enter the competition.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. and the opening ceremony at 7 p.m.