{"id":290315,"date":"2023-09-08T23:37:19","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T23:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/?p=290315"},"modified":"2023-09-08T23:37:19","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T23:37:19","slug":"sir-clive-woodward-france-can-play-better-than-new-zealand-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/rugby-union\/sir-clive-woodward-france-can-play-better-than-new-zealand-win\/","title":{"rendered":"SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: France can play better than New Zealand win"},"content":{"rendered":"
What Friday night’s World Cup opener showed me is that conditions are going to have a big impact on the early stages of this tournament.<\/p>\n
I was very surprised by how much France kicked, especially given what we’ve seen from them in the last few years.<\/p>\n
When they moved the ball in the second half they looked far more dangerous – and winning was the most important thing.<\/p>\n
The heat was a big factor. Temperatures were still very high even with kick-off past 9pm in Paris. You could see the shirts of both teams soaked in sweat and players tired quickly.<\/p>\n
The first half started in spectacular fashion with Rieko Ioane’s clean line break and Beauden Barrett’s pinpoint cross-kick to Mark Telea.<\/p>\n
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Conditions played a big factor in France’s win over New Zealand, even with the late kick-off<\/p>\n
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France kicked a lot in the first half, but had more success moving the ball quickly in the second<\/p>\n
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They can play better than they showed on Friday, a concern for the rest of the competition<\/p>\n
That was the All Blacks at their clinical best. After that, there were lots of errors from both sides.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The opening game had been built up so much by so many people that I think nerves played a part.<\/p>\n
France weren’t helped by losing key forward Julien Marchand. But I don’t think Shuan Edwards would have been happy with their defence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
France kicked far more than I was expecting. It felt like Fabien Galthie’s side had caught the same disease which afflicted England last month!<\/p>\n
New Zealand played more of the rugby. Everyone talked about Antoine Dupont, but his opposite number Aaron Smith was outstanding.<\/p>\n
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Mark Telea scored twice and was involved in some brilliant rugby but France did not let up<\/p>\n
The scrum-half was involved again for Telea’s second try. It was brilliant rugby, New Zealand having the confidence to play from their own half and chipping ahead to race clear.<\/p>\n
France hit straight back through Damian Penaud and it was brilliant work from Matthieu Jalibert – the way he got on the outside of Richie Mo’unga was superb.<\/p>\n
Will Jordan’s card really hurt New Zealand. It was silly from Jordan. I don’t know why players compete in the air like that as it is so risky.<\/p>\n
For the All Blacks, it proved costly. France won comfortably and what should concern their rivals is they can play far better than they showed in Paris.<\/p>\n