France rugby world cup 2023 is where everyone is invited to rugby’s 200th birthday celebrations. But this is not what the rugby fans and followers expected as the opening ceremony stole the show on Friday night in Paris.
Some of the fans in Paris and around the world were critical of what they saw on their television screens ahead of the clash between the host France and New Zealand.“This opening ceremony… so so strange,” one viewer remarked on X, formerly Twitter.
Another added: “Ok enough now. This is a dreadful opening ceremony. And I’ve no idea what it was about.”
According to world rugby….“The creative team behind the Opening Ceremony of Rugby World Cup 2023 have chosen to follow in this path, moving away from the usual ceremony standards, as to tell a story that goes back to the roots of French culture. Led by Jean Dujardin (actor and co-writer of this ceremony), some thirty individuals who embody France’s culture, as well as its art of living, recognised throughout the world, will take part.”
Judging by the reactions from the fans,it seems as if they were not impressed by the opening ceremony.One viewer loved how bad it was.“This opening ceremony is absolutely diabolical…. I love it.”
France might have now put their reputation on the line depending on how fans look at their ability to host big events as they will be hosting the summer olympics from the 26th to the 11th of August in 2024.
On the rugby field, Les Bleus did what many did not expect on the opening match of the night by beating the mighty All Blacks who have never lost a pool match in a rugby world cup since 1987.France beat the All Blacks by 27 points to 13 in front of 80,000 people at the Stade de France in Saint -Denis on Friday night.
Meanwhile the number one ranked rugby team in the world,Ireland annihilated Romania by beating by 82 points to 8.
So far there were no surprises in the opening pool matches of the 2023 rugby world cup..Australia,Italy ,England won their opening matches.The defending champions, Springboks just managed to defeat Scotland by 18 -3 in a lukewarm performance by South African standard.
South Africa are expected to do even better in their next match against Romania on Sunday afternoon 15:00 local time.
