France vs New Zealand LIVE: Latest as All Blacks captain Sam Cane out of Rugby World Cup opener

An enormous blow to the All Blacks so near the beginning of the sport: captain Sam Cane has been dominated out with a late harm. Dalton Papali’i replaces him at flanker.

Take a have a look at our rankings forward of the event…

Two a long time on from England’s triumph in 2003, each the hosts France and Ireland will harbour actual hope of including a second northern hemisphere nation’s title to the Webb Ellis Cup.

The two are a part of a lead quartet which have distanced themselves on the prime of the World Rugby rankings forward of the event. England, Wales and Australia, in the meantime, have fallen down after struggling to hit kind up to now in 2023.

Can New Zealand discover their greatest kind in France? It’s a Rugby World Cup and New Zealand are among the many favourites with the bookies – on the floor, you’d say that some issues by no means change. But this time, it feels completely different.

Read our full preview of the All Blacks, by Luke Baker:

President Marcon is closely booed as he takes the stage.

“I wish you all a fantastic World Cup in France,” he says, “full of courage and panache… The time has come. I now declare the Rugby World Cup open!”

His speech ends with loud cheers across the Stade de France.

“We know that you will be magnificent hosts in the coming weeks, in stadia, in your villages, your towns, your cities, and in your hearts….”

The remainder of his phrases are principally drowned out by a hearty rendition of La Marseillaise from the group. I daresay a speech from a sporting administrator tends to kill the pre-match buzz considerably. Up subsequent, President Macron…

There is now an enormous Eiffel Tower within the centre of the sector because the actors and dancers make their manner off to the facet to gee up the group. It’s all been a bit mad however in equity, the Stade de France is pumping. This goes to be unforgettable rugby match, when it will definitely breaks out.

Some photos from this… eye-catching… opening ceremony:

Some potential group information to regulate, from New Zealand Herland reporter Liam Napier – as but unconfirmed, however it will be an enormous blow to New Zealand if it’s true that their captain, flanker Sam Cane, is injured.

The World Cup’s opening ceremony is underneath manner on the pitch on the Stade de France, and it’s not precisely Les Misérables. There’s lots of people operating round a fictional village to accordion music. One man is a baker. Another is supposed to be a hen, I believe. A girl in a pink gown is dancing.

Four years on, and the All Blacks have stooped to fourth on the earth rankings, lowly by their very own excessive expectations, and suffered a demoralising 35-7 thrashing by the hands of defending champions South Africa in a pre-World Cup warm-up at Twickenham.

Despite that, they head to France amongst the favourites and eyeing up a return to the summit of world rugby. To accomplish that, they should depend on the expertise and capabilities of a few of their star gamers. Few shall be extra necessary to that effort than the commanding again row star, Ardie Savea.