From a whole stadium singing La Marseillaise to a stirring haka and a game that lived up to the pre-match theatre, the Rugby World Cup opener got off to a perfect start.
And this, friends, is the glory of international rugby at its very best. Two teams from opposite sides of the planet, with completely different cultures, are meeting at the flatlands on the edge of Paris, around a rugby ball, for the opening game of the Rugby World Cup 2023.
All the French are so strongly in unison, so delirious in their joy at being here for such a grand national occasion, they make the Eiffel Tower itself sway.But hark as the haka begins.now fall so suddenly and so completely silent, that we can clearly hear every roared word of New Zealand halfback Aaron Smith, leading his men in the haka, coming from 70 metres away, and a thousand years ago.
Most disappointing from the All Blacks – at least if you are a New Zealander – was their tepid approach. Twice when they had the French absolutely on the rack and got a penalty within kicking range, they took the shot, instead of going for the try like the ruthless All Blacks of old would have done.What were you blokes thinking? You are All Blacks! You don’t play the angles, and try to scratch out three points here and there.
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