France hands All Blacks historic Rugby World Cup defeat with 27-13 win in Paris

New Zealand has recorded its first loss in a men's Rugby World Cup pool match, going down 27-13 to host nation France in the tournament opener. 

In the nine previous editions of the World Cup, the All Blacks had always emerged from the pool stage unscathed, but they were beaten by a spirited French line-up playing in front of a parochial home crowd at Paris's Stade de France.

The All Blacks made a blistering start to the match, scoring a try through winger Mark Telea in the second minute of play.

But France re-grouped to establish a 9-8 lead at half-time, before completing the victory after the break

Winger Damian Penaud and reserve Melvyn Jaminet scored France's tries, with fullback Thomas Ramos contributing 17 points via a conversion and five penalty goals.

Telea added another try for the All Blacks early in the second half.

"At half-time both teams were right in it, but I thought they squeezed us in that second half and we struggled to really get a lot of momentum," All Blacks coach Ian Foster said.

"When we did get down there, we created some opportunities, but we weren't quite good enough.

"It was a see-sawing game, but you've got to take your hat off to them.

"It doesn't change much for us. We just have to find another way out of this pool."

The French, who have made the final three times but have never lifted the William Webb Ellis Cup, proved they would be a force with their victory over the All Blacks.

It was far from flawless by the home side, with the attack fumbling during periods, but the boot of Ramos kept them in front.

After an opening ceremony — which featured a celebration of French gastronomy, culture and art — the match got underway in sweltering conditions, with drink breaks in each half.

The All Blacks went into the match without captain Sam Cane, who was a late withdrawal with a back injury.

They opened the scoring when Telea collected a perfect cross-field kick into the in-goal from Beauden Barrett.

The All Blacks looked the more threatening of the sides in the first half but three penalty goals by Ramos kept the hosts ahead going into the second term.

Telea was in again three minutes into the second half, although the pass from centre Rieko Ioane looked forward, with the crowd of 78,690 letting referee Jaco Peyper know their opinion.

That put the All Blacks ahead 13-9 but France answered through Penaud's try to regain the lead.

The All Blacks were rattled by losing Will Jordan to a yellow card after he collided with an airborne Ramos, who added to his tally in the winger's absence.

Replacement back Jaminet crossed for France in the 78th minute to let the celebrations in Paris begin.

France plays Uruguay in its second Pool A match in Lille next Friday AEST, while the All Blacks will look to rebound against Namibia in Toulouse the following day.

The Wallabies open their World Cup campaign against Georgia at Stade de France on Sunday AEST.

ABC/AAP