This game didn't win France the World Cup and it didn't lose it for the All Blacks

This was just meant to be France’s night, and the host nation deservedly took the spoils at the Stade de Sauna in Paris.

It was fate for the World Cup hosts to start with a big statement and New Zealand became the fatality on the night, in the process dropping their first ever pool game at a World Cup.

The Parisian crowd was there to party and open France’s World Cup in style, with expectations of greatness from their heroes in the unfamiliar white strip. The chorus of whistles and boos rained down accordingly as the bayed for the All Black scalp.

However, in hot sticky conditions it was the All Blacks who stormed out of the blocks to score within 90 seconds.

Rieko Ioane sliced through off a set-piece package where captain Ardie Savea played the foil perfectly from a carry formation in midfield.

Ioane’s blistering run left the crowd stunned, before a Beauden Barrett cross-field kick bounced up for Mark Telea moments later.

That first punch set the tone for the first half which was all about the All Blacks, with 44 per cent of the half’s territory played inside France’s 22.

But France took the punches they threw and the All Blacks missed opportunities which proved costly.

Ethan de Groot coughed up the pill cold on one occasion pressing in France’s red zone.

Right on the tryline with France’s defence reeling towards Telea’s side the forwards never let the backs pull the trigger on a key penalty advantage . They settled for three but the chance to roll the dice went begging.

Near the end of the half continual short side switches failed to yield results when an offload by Codie Taylor sailed over the sideline.

Despite still being in the game down 9-8 at half-time, not getting enough reward for the advantages they enjoyed proved critical.

France had managed to build a lead through Thomas Ramos’ boot with three penalties despite having just one per cent territory inside the All Blacks’ 22 in the half.

They simply did not make it down there, but played patient rugby built off the back of set-piece dominance where they troubled the All Blacks’ scrum and at the breakdown.

The late gamble to play Tupou Vaa’i at No 6 over Luke Jacobson after the injury to Sam Cane didn’t pay off, but whether Jacobson or openside Dalton Papali’i would have fared any better is not certain.

The French backrow of Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, and Francois Cros are world class, three monsters who top tackle counts and turn the ball over. Against the All Blacks makeshift trio, it was no fair match.

Ian Foster needs Shannon Frizell to balance out his best loose forward combination, and while Cane is not well liked by the public, he is the leader for a reason. He sets the example and has the physicality to match.

Whilst Brodie Retallick was a late insertion onto the bench, he didn’t play a lot of minutes which is needed against an opponent like this.

The scrum was an issue, particularly on De Groot’s side as he tried to contain the monster Uini Atonio. Tyrel Lomax would make some difference in stabilising that front row.

Despite the end scoreline, there is reason for optimism for the All Blacks. This was a genuine contest until Thomas Ramos’ 73rd minute penalty goal which built an 8-point lead and forced the All Blacks to chase.

France turned the screws after the Will Jordan yellow card with a pivotal period of pressure swung the momentum in their favour. He needs to change his reckless style of eyes-only for the ball. The chaser has to consider the jumper and pull out accordingly.

As the All Blacks emptied the rather lacklustre bench, comparatively speaking, they couldn’t stay in the contest.

Mark Telea gave everything you could have asked for and Richie Mo’unga was the most dangerous All Black on the pitch with some brilliant touches. His try saver on Damian Penaud was inspirational for the side.

Beauden Barrett was instrumental in the All Blacks kicking game and backfield, handling the exits with a spiral punt and cleaning up loose ends where necessary. His brother Scott was a beast in the engine room.

There are no excuses for the All Blacks, France simply were better on the night. But in more than a month’s time the two sides will shape up differently and there was enough there to suggest the result could be different.

The All Blacks are expected to have Cane, Frizell, Lomax, Retallick and Jordie Barrett back in the starting line-up.

France are expected to see only Jonathan Danty and Paul Willemse return.

France rugby deserved this moment after the results over the last four years, winning consistently at a level considered great.

But this game didn’t win France the World Cup and it didn’t lose it for the All Blacks.