Damien Penaud goes from villain to hero to ease France's opening night nerves

08 September 2023 , 22:05

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Penaud (left) celebrates with fly-half Matthieu Jalibert after the pair combined to score the all-important try (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Damien Penaud went from villain to hero to give France a winning start to their World Cup and send the host nation into raptures.

The son of former Saracens star Alain was at fault for both New Zealand tries and spilt one of his own over the Kiwi line.

But with the All Blacks eyeing a shock victory he linked with Mathieu Jalibert for the score which turned the tide and started an almighty party.

“It was a massive game for our team today and I am proud to be French tonight,” said man of the match Greg Alldritt. “But we are not champions now. We have to go step by step."

The relief was tangible as for long periods it felt Les Bleus were being crushed by weight of expectation.

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Hosts, favourites, everyone’s second team, they stepped into into a red-hot atmosphere and froze.

Mark Telea dives to score first of his two tries for New Zealand (AFP via Getty Images)

The crowd had been whipped into a fervour by an opening ceremony which felt a lot like Danny Boyle’s London 2012 epic with a Gallic twist.

Dan Carter was allowed to bring out the trophy but it felt it would be the first and last time a Kiwi got his hands on the prize.

Then the visitors kicked off, shredded Shaun Edwards’ vaunted defence with their first run at it and Beauden Barrett chipped for Mark Telea to elude Penaud and score with 93 seconds on the clock.

Sam Whitelock fights for the ball with French duo Matthieu Jalibert and Thibaud Flament (AFP via Getty Images)

The French should have known better than to think the All Blacks, three-time world champions, would play the role of stooges.

Their last meaningful World Cup tie had been a semi-final loss to England. Their last Test a record defeat by South Africa. You bet they were up for this.

Only one side played with a joie de vivre and it was not the hosts and when Penaud again allowed Telea in at the start of the second half they were in a world of bother.

New Zealand flanker Luke Jacobson is tackled by France right wing Penaud (AFP via Getty Images)

On another night it would have haunted him. But not this one.

The winger struck, releasing the pressure valve, the ABs lost Will Jordan to the bunker and France were away.

In 10 World Cups the men in black had never lost a pool match. But after Melvyn Jaminet bagged France’s second try and Ramos’ boot was done with them they most certainly had.

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FRANCE - Tries: Penaud, Jaminet. Pens: Ramos 5. Con: Ramos.

NZ - Tries: Telea 2. Pen: Mo’unga.

Alex Spink