All Blacks Edge France 34-32 in Thrilling Nations Championship Opener
In a high-octane, nine-try spectacle at Christchurch, the All Blacks defeated France 34-32 to kick off the inaugural Nations Championship with a bang. New head coach Dave Rennie got off to a winning start, but it was far from straightforward against a determined French side.
New Zealand (19) 34 Tries: Will Jordan (2), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard (2) Cons: Ruben Love (2), Pen: Love
France (13) 32 Tries: Damian Penaud, Antoine Hastoy, Theo Attissogbe, Matthieu Jalibert Cons: Maxime Lucu (2), Hastoy; Pens: Lucu (2)
Key Moments
- Explosive Start: France stunned the hosts with a try from record scorer Penaud inside two minutes. New Zealand’s Ruben Love was sin-binned for a high tackle in the build-up.
- Jordan Magic: The prolific All Blacks wing replied quickly and added a second late on, moving him within two tries of Doug Howlett’s all-time New Zealand record.
- Back-and-Forth Battle: Tries from Lakai and a brace by outstanding scrum-half Cam Roigard kept New Zealand in control at times, but France stayed in touch throughout with clinical finishing from their backs. A French try was ruled out for a knock-on in the second half.
- Nail-Biting Finish: The game went down to the wire, with New Zealand holding on for a hard-fought victory on home soil.
What It Means
This was a statement win for the All Blacks after some recent challenges, showcasing attacking flair and resilience. France, missing stars like Antoine Dupont and Louis Bielle-Biarrey but still fielding a strong lineup, proved they remain dangerous travellers.
Up next: New Zealand host Italy, while France head to Australia. The Nations Championship promises plenty more fireworks.
