AP PHOTOS: Blood, sweat and tears on the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup in France

PARIS (AP) — The dust has settled after the first set of games at the Rugby World Cup, which began with a stirring win for host France in front of nearly 79,000 people at the Stade de France, and ended with heartbreak for fan favorite Fiji as a dropped pass in the final seconds denied it a thrilling victory in Bordeaux.

The eight matches on the opening weekend brought plenty of blood, sweat and tears.

There were crunching tackles, as always. Teams needed additional water breaks and used ice packs to cool off in sweltering temperatures. And the emotion of the occasion was on show for many, like Chile’s players, some of whom had tears rolling down their cheeks as they sang their national anthem for the first time in their debut appearance at the Rugby World Cup.

The Patrouille de France flies over the Stade de France during the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup ahead of the Pool A match between France and New Zealand, in Saint Denis , north of Paris, Friday, Sept, 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) — The Patrouille de France flies over the Stade de France during the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup ahead of the Pool A match between France and New Zealand, in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept, 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

A woman takes a picture from the Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica's viewpoint, with the Velodrome stadium in the background, in Marseille, France, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) — A woman takes a picture from the Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica’s viewpoint, with the Velodrome stadium in the background, in Marseille, France, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

The French team lived up to all the pre-tournament hype by staring down New Zealand’s Kapa o Pango haka and then beating the three-time champions in an opening game that was billed as a blockbuster and didn’t disappoint.

Underdog Romania had a moment to cherish against Ireland, the top-ranked team in the world, by scoring the first try. The Irish swept back to win 82-8 and make sure there was no shocking upset.

England flanker Tom Curry became the first player to be sent off at this year’s Rugby World Cup when his tackle on Argentina fullback Juan Cruz Mallia resulted in a clash of heads and both players needing white bandages to stem the bleeding from their wounds. Mallia played on, Curry would have if he’d been allowed.

France's Peato Mauvaka is tackled by New Zealand's Aaron Smith during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — France’s Peato Mauvaka is tackled by New Zealand’s Aaron Smith during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

With 14 men, England still won 27-10.

Chile’s team, known as the Condors, landed for their first World Cup and flyhalf Rodrigo Fernández will forever have the distinction of being the first player from his country to score a try at rugby’s biggest tournament.

His early score delighted fans in Toulouse and Chile won the hearts of the rugby world, even if Japan ultimately won that game 42-12.

Defending champion South Africa put the squeeze on Scotland to win its opener, where a try by live-wire Springboks wing Kurt-Lee Arendse was the highlight.

New Zealand perform the Haka before the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Fiji and Wales produced a rip-roaring contest to bring the curtain down on the first set of games. The Pacific Islanders fought back with two tries in the last seven minutes to put themselves within reach of a thrilling comeback. A game-winning score was there for the taking after the fulltime hooter had sounded, only for star back Semi Radradra to drop a bouncing pass with the tryline open in front of him.

Agony for the Fijians. Utter relief for the Welsh.

Eight games down at the Rugby World Cup. There’s still 40 to come.

New Zealand's Beauden Barrett, left, and ,France's Antoine Dupont challenge for the ball during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept, 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) — New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett, left, and ,France’s Antoine Dupont challenge for the ball during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept, 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Italy's Manuel Zuliani ,right, celebrates his try with Italy's Lorenzo Cannot during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Italy and Namibia at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, central France, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani) — Italy’s Manuel Zuliani ,right, celebrates his try with Italy’s Lorenzo Cannot during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Italy and Namibia at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, central France, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Ireland's James Lowe catches the ball during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — Ireland’s James Lowe catches the ball during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Romania's Jason Tomane grimaces during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — Romania’s Jason Tomane grimaces during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Ireland's Joe McCarthy runs in to score a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — Ireland’s Joe McCarthy runs in to score a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Romania's Nicolas Onutu, left, holds his son with Ireland's Robbie Henshaw at the end of the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — Romania’s Nicolas Onutu, left, holds his son with Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw at the end of the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Players run past the World Cup trophy prior to the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Georgia at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Saturday, Sept. 9 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Australia's Mark Nawaqanitawase, center, passes the ball away as he is held up by Georgia's Demur Tapladze, left, during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Georgia at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Saturday, Sept. 9 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) — Australia’s Mark Nawaqanitawase, center, passes the ball away as he is held up by Georgia’s Demur Tapladze, left, during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Georgia at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Saturday, Sept. 9 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Australia's Ben Donaldson scores a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Georgia at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) — Australia’s Ben Donaldson scores a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Georgia at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

England's Joe Marler takes part in the warm up ahead of the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Argentina in the Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) — England’s Joe Marler takes part in the warm up ahead of the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Argentina in the Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

England's Tom Curry, center left, clashes heads with Argentina's Juan Cruz Mallia, for which he got a red card, during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Argentina in the Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole) — England’s Tom Curry, center left, clashes heads with Argentina’s Juan Cruz Mallia, for which he got a red card, during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Argentina in the Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

England's Ellis Genge, top is tackled by Argentina's Marcos Kremer during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Argentina in the Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) — England’s Ellis Genge, top is tackled by Argentina’s Marcos Kremer during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Argentina in the Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Players contest a scrum during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Argentina in the Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Japan's Amato Fakatava runs to score his team's first try during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Japan and Chile at Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly) — Japan’s Amato Fakatava runs to score his team’s first try during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Japan and Chile at Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly)

Japan's Michael Leitch, left, attempts to beat Chile's Domingo Saavedra during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Japan and Chile at Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly) — Japan’s Michael Leitch, left, attempts to beat Chile’s Domingo Saavedra during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Japan and Chile at Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly)

A Scottish fan plays the bagpipes as he waits for the subway to go to the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Scotland at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Scotland's Richie Gray, center left, and his teammate Pierre Schoeman, try to catch the ball during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Scotland at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) — Scotland’s Richie Gray, center left, and his teammate Pierre Schoeman, try to catch the ball during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Scotland at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

A South African supporter cheers prior to the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Scotland at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

South Africa's Kurt-Lee Arendse runs in to score a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Scotland at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole) — South Africa’s Kurt-Lee Arendse runs in to score a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Scotland at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

South Africa's Faf de Klerk takes a selfie with supporters as he celebrates after the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Scotland at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) — South Africa’s Faf de Klerk takes a selfie with supporters as he celebrates after the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Scotland at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Wales' George North runs to score a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Fiji at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — Wales’ George North runs to score a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Fiji at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Wales' Nick Tompkins, below, is tackled by Fiji's Waisea Nayacalevu during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Fiji at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — Wales’ Nick Tompkins, below, is tackled by Fiji’s Waisea Nayacalevu during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Fiji at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

A team assistance places ice on Wales' Aaron Wainwright's head during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Fiji at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — A team assistance places ice on Wales’ Aaron Wainwright’s head during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Fiji at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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