Joy and pain for fans for the Rugby World Cup opener

12:47 pm on 9 September 2023
Rugby World Cup fans in Auckland and Paris

Clockwise from top left, fans at an Auckland bar, Sonny Bill Williams with Kiwi fans, and French fans all at the Stade de France in Paris. Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida / Photosport / AFP

There were some famous faces in the crowd at Stade de France and some busy bars around the nation as fans prepared for the France versus All Blacks match.

As it turned out, it was the French fans who went home happy after their side emerged as 27-13 winners on the back of a strong second half and plenty of All Blacks' errors.

At the Stade de France former All Blacks spotted in the 80,000-strong crowd included Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams, who obliged Kiwi fans' requests for selfies.

Here's a look at some of the fans in Auckland and Paris.

All Blacks fans in Auckland

These All Blacks supporters enjoy breakfast during the game at a bar in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida

All Black fans in Auckland

Two women had an All Blacks mascot along for the ride. Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida

Fans and spectators. Rugby World Cup France 2023, France v New Zealand All Blacks pool match at Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France on Friday 8 September 2023. Mandatory credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

And these French fans also brought a mascot to the big match. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Sonny Bill Williams has a selfie with fan. Rugby World Cup France 2023, France v New Zealand All Blacks pool match at Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France on Friday 8 September 2023. Mandatory credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Former All Black Sonny Bill Williams has a selfie with a fan at the Stade de France in Paris. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Sonny Bill Williams with fans and spectators. Rugby World Cup France 2023, France v New Zealand All Blacks pool match at Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France on Friday 8 September 2023. Mandatory credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

And another ... Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

French supporters look on as New Zealand players perform the Haka prior to the opening match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup between France and New Zealand at a fan zone at Place de la Concorde in Paris on September 8, 2023. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)

These French fans in Toulouse were at least impressed by the All Blacks' haka. Photo: AFP

All Black fans in Auckland

An RNZ reporter found some bars weren't as busy as expected for the World Cup opener. Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida

French President Emmanuel MACRON during the World Cup 2023, Pool A rugby union match between France and New Zealand on September 8, 2023 at Stade de France in Saint-Denis near Paris, France - Photo Matthieu Mirville / DPPI (Photo by Matthieu Mirville / Matthieu Mirville / DPPI via AFP)

France's President Emmanuel Macron took centre stage before the match started. Photo: AFP

A French supporter wearing a gallic helmet gestures ahead of the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris on September 8, 2023. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)

A French supporter wearing a Gallic helmet gestures ahead of kickoff. Photo: AFP

A spectator looks on ahead of the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris on September 8, 2023. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

And this one shows his true colours. Photo: AFP

Fans and supporters. Rugby World Cup France 2023, France v New Zealand All Blacks pool match at Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France on Friday 8 September 2023. Mandatory credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Kiwis exuberant before the match start. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Fans and supporters. Rugby World Cup France 2023, France v New Zealand All Blacks pool match at Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France on Friday 8 September 2023. Mandatory credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Kiwi fans still happy before the match got underway. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Fans and spectators. Rugby World Cup France 2023, France v New Zealand All Blacks pool match at Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France on Friday 8 September 2023. Mandatory credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

A cross-section of the crowd at the stadium. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

France supporters react as they watch the opening match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup between France and New Zealand at a fan zone in Toulouse, southwestern France, on September 8, 2023. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

Fans across France, including these ones in Toulouse, were thrilled with the result. Photo: AFP

All Black fans in Auckland

IN New Zealand not so much ... The mood became sombre as the match wore on at some bars in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs

We have regular online commentary of local and international sport.