CNN —Hosts France won the opening game of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, beating fellow tournament favorites New Zealand 27-13 on Friday. Stephanie Lecocq/ReutersA late showFrom hours before kick off, it was obvious there was a Rugby World Cup in town in Paris. New Zealand players perform the Haka in front of the France players before their match at the Rugby World Cup. France made the man advantage count, Ramos scoring his fourth penalty of the game from close range to extend the lead to six points. And try as it might to push for a route back into the game, Ramos’ fifth penalty of the game made it a two-score match and effectively wrapped up the result.

---

Persons: Damian Penaud’s, Thomas Ramos, Mark Telea, Melvyn Jaminet’s, “, ” France’s Gregory Alldritt, “ It’s, ”, France's Damian Penaud, France's, Matthieu Jalibert, Stephanie Lecocq, Christian Hartmann, Telea, Ramos, Richie Mo’unga’s, Mo’unga, Les Bleus, Will Jordan, Jaco Peyper, Ramos ’, Jaminet’s Organizations: CNN, France, Zealand, New Zealand, Reuters, Rugby, Stade de France, Blacks, Stade Locations: Paris, France, ” France, Uruguay, Lille, New Zealand, Namibia, Toulouse, Haka, Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, Romania