Inside Rugby World Cup Final in Paris

The entrance to the Stade de France in Paris is one reserved for grand occasions. The stadium, the symbol of French sport for the time, was taken over by the colours of South Africa and New Zealand as they competed in the final act of the Rugby World Cup. Thanks to Land Rover Defender, the official partner of the Paris 2024 Rugby World Cup, we were guests at this historic event and, as fans, got to experience one of the sports where what happens off the pitch is almost as important as what happens on it. The beer glasses stacked in perfectly ordered piles, the flags of the two national teams proudly displayed side by side by the fans, and the many player jerseys, including that of the host French national team, tell of a celebration as much as a final. A celebration of rugby in one of its most iconic locations, Paris, despite the weather and the pouring rain, which immediately brings to mind the English city where the sport was born and from which it takes its name.

From the moment the two teams took to the pitch, from the Haka led by Aaron Smith, the historic scrum-half in his final game of his career, who had the whole stadium in stitches, we knew it would not be a game like any other. And the match, which had been anticipated for four years, did not disappoint the high expectations of the eighty thousand people gathered in the stands, despite all the water that fell from the sky and the countless who watched the challenge from hundreds of kilometres away. Two countries, South Africa and New Zealand, who breathe rugby and who had won three World Cups each before Saturday night, demonstrated the intensity and balance that prevailed on the pitch. And indeed, the final was on the line until the last moment. After South Africa had punished the All Blacks' indiscipline with four penalties in the first half, the legendary New Zealand team returned to the pitch with a different intensity in the second half and came close to taking the lead on several occasions. In the end, however, it was two missed penalties, first the one for the extra point after the only try of the game and then a free kick almost from half field, that condemned the All Blacks to defeat on the Paris turf.

The prestigious Webb Ellis Cup, established in 1987, thus landed in South African hands for the fourth time, confirming their success of four years ago. The jubilation on the pitch was followed by spectators in the stands and continued in the French capital, which became the capital of the oval ball for a month. This period coincided with a series of promotions launched by Land Rover, inspired by the values of endurance, durability and versatility that rugby players bring to every game. The special edition The Rugby World Cup 2023 Defender is inspired by the Trophy Car that brought the winning team the Webb Ellis Cup on 28 October and has been produced in a very limited edition of 23. A perfect collector's item for rugby and sport driving enthusiasts who can go where they want in all circumstances and on all roads without being stopped by adverse conditions. Just like South Africa and New Zealand did on the pitch, offering a historic spectacle to the more than 80000 spectators at the Stade de France.