Rugby World Cup 2023: THE HISTORY OF RUGBY WORLD CUP OPENING MATCHES
The 2023 Rugby World Cup schedule revealed a delicious match between hosts France and three-time champions New Zealand. Here’s a look at how previous RWC suspension jacks have affected the rest of the tournament beyond. Never in the history of the Rugby World Cup – and now approaching its 10th birthday – will the opening match be as long-awaited as France against New Zealand on 8 September 2023. The Rugby fans can buy Rugby World Cup tickets 2023 from our website at exclusively discountable prices.
With France and its so-called golden generation looking to be in very good shape in 2023. And All Blacks trying to win back South Africa’s Webb Ellis Cup. The tournament could not have been a match that would have started the show.
Kirwan brings Rugby World Cup to life
However, this has not always been the case. Before the opening match of the 1987 Rugby World Cup, no one knew what to expect. And it was impossible to imagine how big the tournament would be. Sure, it was a feeling of excitement as 16 teams from all over the world gathered for the rugby jamboree. But building in Auckland and elsewhere was very discreet compared to today.
Fortunately, a brilliant performance in the second half of All Blacks. And John Kirwan’s brilliant solo try in the 70-6 win over Italy. At Eden Park convinced everyone and the Rugby World Cup became the third biggest sporting event in the world.
It is fair to say that the curtain went down a bit at the second Rugby World Cup in 1991. As it kept England All Blacks an 18-12 victory. The first of three wins in their opening match in New Zealand. England recovered from that setback and lost on home turf after losing to Australia.
Wallabies win set South Africa on road to glory
As defending champions, Australia was the team that beat the host nation at the 1995 Rugby World Cup. When South Africa first joined. The Springboks knew they could leave the nation behind if they won. And were forced with a 27-18 victory giving them the momentum they needed to get to the end.
“No one outside South Africa really expected anything from us. But because of Kitch Christie’s positivist we didn’t lack self-confidence. And we were sure that everything would fall into place if we beat Australia. The defending champions, in our first match. We really dominated them in the day and that gave us an easier path to the final,” recalled the Japie Mulder. Fans can also buy South Africa Rugby World Cup tickets from our website.
Pumas announce arrival on the Rugby world Cup stage
Argentina appeared in three consecutive RWC opening matches in 1999-2007. Losing the first two to Wales (23-18) and Australia (24-8) before surprising France in the third. The 17-12 result in favors of the Cougars was undoubtedly the opening match of the Rugby World Cup. With the greatest impact as it paved the way for South Americans to enter Super Rugby and rugby championship.
However, the Diego Albanese winger believes that the road to a major victory in Paris. Which they later repeated at the same tournament against France in the battle for a bronze medal, began in Cardiff in 1999.
“When we played the first World Cup match against Wales at the Millennium Stadium. It was the first time we had played at a full national stadium. That’s when we got used to playing at this level. Before the World Cup, we had three professional rugby players in Argentina. Then at least half the team went to Europe to play professionally”. For Argentina Rugby World Cup tickets visit our website.
“People are talking about the winning attempt. I scored in the play-off quarter-finals against Ireland. But I needed Gonzal Quesada to kick a brilliant touchline conversion. And also seven minutes at the end when we had to defend for our lives. That’s what life calls me.”
However, stagnation was introduced in early 2007 with a brilliant performance against France. Felipe Contepomi kicked four penalties in the match and Ignacio Corleto scored the only try of the match. Where Juan Martín Hernández’s raw talent became known to the world.
Fiji win papered over England cracks
In fact, the first matches of the three Rugby World Cups. That followed were by far no less close to the drama. With New Zealand (41-10 in Tonga, 2011), England (35-11 in Fiji, 2015) and Japan (30-10 in Russia, 2019) winning with relative ease.
While New Zealand used Tonga’s result as an offshoot to move on. And win the tournament for the first time in 24 years. And Japan advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. Few English fans would have expected Fiji’s victory to be as good as it was for them.
Such a fate for the French team in 2023 is unthinkable. And a victory over the first team All Blacks would do wonders for their confidence. As they try to leave behind and become world champions for the first time. Eticketing.co is the best website for World Cup 2023 tickets. The Rugby fans can buy France Rugby World Cup tickets 2023 from our website at massively discount able prices.
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