Underdogs in other sports, All Blacks are the powerhouse of Rugby and the most successful team in Men’s Rugby World Cup history with three titles (1987, 2011, 2015), a runners-up finish, and 49 wins (most by any team) under their name. Moreover, they’re the only side with a 100% record in the pool stages. Watch every game in Rugby World Cup 2023 on Rugby247.tv only for $9.99
In 2015, the All Blacks World Cup title marked them the first side to win consecutive titles as they won the previous edition (2011) as well. In 2019, they were very close to writing another chapter of history with a treble of Rugby World Cup titles when England defeated them in the semi-finals, snapping their record run of 18 consecutive wins.
Four years have passed, and here they are, ready to again prove their dominance. That said, they’ll kick off their campaign against host France on the opening day, which is just a matter of hours away from taking place.
Here’s everything about NZ All Blacks Rugby World Cup 2023 schedule, players to watch, and how to watch every game on Rugby World Cup 2023 in your country.
Head To Head
All Blacks vs. France have faced each other 62 times. New Zealand leads with 48 wins, losing 1, while the French team wins 13. Talking about World Cup matches remarkably, this game will mark the eighth time (a new record) these two powerhouses will cross their paths.
In the previous seven h2h games at the mega event, these teams have crossed paths at various stages of the competition: one pool match in 2011, two quarter-finals in 2007 and 2015, a semi-final showdown in 1999, a bronze medal match in 2003, and two memorable finals in 1987 and 2011.
France Preview vs. All Blacks:
Host France, third in the World Rugby rankings, is looking for their first ever Webb Ellis Cup on home soil with the support of home fans. France, after losing in the quarter-final in Japan, has been rejuvenated under Fabien Galthie.
Les Bleus won their first Grand Slam in 12 years when they defeated England 25-13 last year, defeating every top side in that time. They have recorded some other memorable victories as well in recent seasons under Galthie and will be eyeing the cup.
The upcoming World Cup opening game will mark the 50th test for France captain and halfback Antoine Dupont, the sixth French halfback to achieve the milestone. In 18 Tests as captain so far, arguably the World’s best player has never lost a home test and would like to maintain that with a win tonight.
France Team News vs. All Blacks:
Led by Antoine Dupont, the French team enters the competition in high spirits despite four injuries: Romain Ntamack, Jonathan Danty, and Paul Willemse. The host will field 13 members of the side that beat New Zealand the last time they met (2021).
Racing 92 lock Cameron Woki replaces Willemse in the starting 15, while captain Antoine Dupont will line up with Matthieu Jalibert in the halves pairing.
France Line-up vs All Blacks:
Reda Wardi, Julien Marchand, Uini Atonio, Cameron Woki, Thibaud Flament, Francois Cros, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt, Antoine Dupont (captain), Matthieu Jalibert, Gabin Villière, Yoram Moefana, Gael Fickou, Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos
Reserves:
Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifienua, Paul Boudehent, Maxime Lucu, Arthur Vincent, Melvyn Jaminet.
All Blacks Preview vs. France:
No doubt their capabilities, there are some concerns regarding All Blacks’ results, who’re entering the tournament with a record loss of 35-7 against South Africa in the final warm-up game.
Tonight’s game marks the fourth time the All Blacks will be playing the opening match of the mega event (in 1987 vs. Italy, 1991 vs. England, and 2011 vs. Tonga).
As mentioned above, New Zealand is the only team unbeaten in pool stages (31 games) in Rugby World Cup history; their record will be on the line in Paris. Moreover, they’ve played the most games at World Cups (57), and a win in Paris would make them the first to win 50 World Cup games.
Lock Sam Whitelock, the third most-capped player in Test Rugby, is eyeing the record for most World Cup games. He is three Tests away from matching the most capped players, Richie McCaw and Jason Leonard of England.
All Blacks’ fourth-highest scorer in Tests, Richie Mo’unga, will be playing his 50th Test tonight and looking to score against Les Bleus after failing to do so in the last three attempts. Moreover, Tighthead prop Nepo Laulala will also be playing his 50th Test.
All Blacks Team News vs France Rugby
Led by Sam Cane, New Zealand will enter the field without centre Jordie Barrett. Coach Foster confirmed the news of his absence due to an injury. With that, he joins Brodie Retallick, Emoni Narawa, Shannon Frizell, and Tyrel Lomax on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Scott Barrett, despite his red card against South Africa in their final warm-up game, is free to play tonight.
All Blacks (caps in brackets) Line-up vs France:
1. Ethan de Groot (17) 2. Codie Taylor (79) 3. Nepo Laulala (49) 4. Samuel Whitelock (146) 5. Scott Barrett (62) 6. Dalton Papali’i (26) 7. Sam Cane (c) (90) 8. Ardie Savea (75) 9. Aaron Smith (119) 10. Richie Mo’unga (49) 11. Mark Telea (5) 12. Anton Lienert-Brown (63) 13. Rieko Ioane (63) 14. Will Jordan (25) 15. Beauden Barrett (116)
Reserves:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (25) 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (53) 18. Fletcher Newell (8) 19. Tupou Vaa’i (22) 20. Luke Jacobson (15) 21. Finlay Christie (17) 22. David Havili (25) 23. Leicester Fainga’anuku (3)
All Blacks are in Pool A with host France, Namibia, Ireland, and Italy. Below is the complete schedule of All Blacks in Rugby World Cup 2023:
All Blacks Games Schedule in RWC 2023 (Local Time):
France vs. New Zealand | 21:15 | Stade de France, Saint-Denis
New Zealand vs. Namibia | 21:00 | Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
New Zealand vs. Italy | 21:00 | OL Stadium, Lyon
New Zealand vs. Uruguay | 21:00 | OL Stadium, Lyon
How to live stream All Blacks Games in Rugby World Cup 2023?
All Blacks’ fixtures in Rugby World Cup 2023 will stream on the following streaming services and TV channels in the following territories:
RugbyPass TV
New Zealand: Sky Sports Now (Special Rugby World Cup 2023 pass for $89.99, Standard week pass for $24.99, monthly pass for $44.99, or annual pass for $449.99). Elsewhere, you can watch the complete tournament with opening ceremony live on your TV through Rugby247.TV only at $9.99. Try Rugby247.tv to get special access from New Zealand, UK, US, Canada, Australia or wherever you live in.
France: TF1 | M6 | France TV
Australia: Stan Sport on Channel 9 and 9Now (it costs $15/m to add Stan Sport to the general streaming plan).
South Africa & Subsahara: Super Sport (on DStv Now and Showmax).
United States: NBC on Peacock ($5.99/m) | Sling TV ($41/m), | DirecTV Now | Hulu with Live TV | Youtube TV
United Kingdom: ITV Network (ITV1 and ITV4)
Fiji: Fiji TV
Caribbean Islands: Rugby Pass TV
China / South Korea / Vietnam: Rugby Pass TV
Japan: JSports | NTV | NHK | DAZN
Cyprus / Iceland / Ukraine: RugbyPass TV
Austria / Germany / Switzerland: Prosieben Maxx | RAN
Belgium: Telenet
Czechia: Ceska Televize
Estonia / Lithuania: TV3
Latvia: Rugby Pass TV | TV3
Denmark / Finland / Ireland / Norway / Sweden: TV3
Ireland: RTV | Virgin
Italy: Sky Italia | RAI
Netherlands: Ziggo
Portugal: Sport TV
Spain: Movistar+
Singapore: StarHub / BeIN Sports (fans must pay for an additional RWC Pass)
Hong Kong / Malaysia / Brunei / Indonesia / Philippines / Thailand: BeIN Sports (fans from some countries, including Hong Kong and the Philippines, will have to pay an additional RWC Pass (Prices vary by country).
