CENTRE YORAM MOEFANA will replace the injured Jonathan Danty in France’s side for this weekend’s World Cup opener with New Zealand, head coach Fabien Galthie announced on Wednesday.
La Rochelle’s Danty, 30, suffered a hamstring injury late last month and will miss Friday’s highly-anticipated match in Paris.
Galthie said it was “an honour” for the host nation to play New Zealand in the World Cup’s opening match.
The All Blacks have lifted the World Cup trophy three times and won a 20th Rugby Championship title earlier this year.
“They do it best,” Galthie told reporters. “We’re so happy to play this team.
“For us, Friday is a party, a joy, an honour, it’s marvellous,” he added.
Bordeaux-Begles’ Moefana, 23, is in line to make his 15th Test start against the three-time World Cup winners.
“Yoram has three years of experience with us,” Galthie said.
“We’ve worked on a lot of combinations and we have to be able to adapt.
“During this competition, there are four group games, then potentially three knockouts. This France team will change,” he added.
There are two other changes from the warm-up win over Australia on 27 August as lock Cameron Woki comes in for the injured Paul Willemse and prop Reda Wardi starts instead of Jean-Baptise Gros.
“At tight-head, we have Reda then Jean-Baptiste to finish,” Galthie said.
“We have what we need,” he added.
Meanwhile, Anton Lienert-Brown will replace the injured Jordie Barrett at centre for New Zealand, head coach Ian Foster said on Wednesday.
Barrett, 26, missed training this week with a knee issue.
Lienert-Brown will make just his third Test start in a year on Friday in Paris against France, who have lost just once at home since March 2021.
Barrett’s brothers, two-time World Player of the Year Beauden and lock Scott, are selected.
“It is a privilege to play in the opening game of Rugby World Cup 2023,” Foster said in a statement.
“What makes it extra special is playing the host nation who are a very proud and in-form team,” he added.
Experienced lock Brodie Retallick, loose forward Shannon Frizell and prop Tyrel Lomax are also sidelined with fitness problems with winger Emoni Narawa ruled out of the whole tournament with a back issue.
Fly-half Richie Mo’unga and tight-head prop Nepo Laulala will make their 50th Test appearances.
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Moefana replaces Danty for France's Rugby World Cup opener
Updated at 18.06
CENTRE YORAM MOEFANA will replace the injured Jonathan Danty in France’s side for this weekend’s World Cup opener with New Zealand, head coach Fabien Galthie announced on Wednesday.
La Rochelle’s Danty, 30, suffered a hamstring injury late last month and will miss Friday’s highly-anticipated match in Paris.
Galthie said it was “an honour” for the host nation to play New Zealand in the World Cup’s opening match.
The All Blacks have lifted the World Cup trophy three times and won a 20th Rugby Championship title earlier this year.
“They do it best,” Galthie told reporters. “We’re so happy to play this team.
“For us, Friday is a party, a joy, an honour, it’s marvellous,” he added.
Bordeaux-Begles’ Moefana, 23, is in line to make his 15th Test start against the three-time World Cup winners.
“Yoram has three years of experience with us,” Galthie said.
“We’ve worked on a lot of combinations and we have to be able to adapt.
“During this competition, there are four group games, then potentially three knockouts. This France team will change,” he added.
There are two other changes from the warm-up win over Australia on 27 August as lock Cameron Woki comes in for the injured Paul Willemse and prop Reda Wardi starts instead of Jean-Baptise Gros.
“At tight-head, we have Reda then Jean-Baptiste to finish,” Galthie said.
“We have what we need,” he added.
Meanwhile, Anton Lienert-Brown will replace the injured Jordie Barrett at centre for New Zealand, head coach Ian Foster said on Wednesday.
Barrett, 26, missed training this week with a knee issue.
Lienert-Brown will make just his third Test start in a year on Friday in Paris against France, who have lost just once at home since March 2021.
Barrett’s brothers, two-time World Player of the Year Beauden and lock Scott, are selected.
“It is a privilege to play in the opening game of Rugby World Cup 2023,” Foster said in a statement.
“What makes it extra special is playing the host nation who are a very proud and in-form team,” he added.
Experienced lock Brodie Retallick, loose forward Shannon Frizell and prop Tyrel Lomax are also sidelined with fitness problems with winger Emoni Narawa ruled out of the whole tournament with a back issue.
Fly-half Richie Mo’unga and tight-head prop Nepo Laulala will make their 50th Test appearances.
France
Replacements:
New Zealand
Replacements:
– © AFP 2023
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