All Blacks beat France in thrilling Nations Championship opener

New Delhi, India Jul 4, 2026 ALN: Nations Championship

New Zealand (19) 34

Tries: Jordan 2, Lakai, Roigard 2 Cons: Love 3 Pen: Love

France (13) 32

Tries: Penaud, Hastoy, Attisogbe, Jalibert Cons: Lucu 2, Hastoy Pens: Lucu 2

Will Jordan scored twice to help New Zealand beat France as the inaugural Nations Championship opened with a captivating, nine-try thriller in Christchurch.

The match marked not only the beginning of the Nations Championship but also a significant moment in the calendar, as it featured two of the 's most storied teams. New Zealand, known for their rich heritage and dominance in the , faced off against a resurgent French side, which has shown considerable improvement in recent years, culminating in their Six Nations triumph earlier this year.

Prolific wing Jordan struck in the seventh and 71st minutes, contributing significantly to the All Blacks' victory and providing new head coach Dave Rennie with a winning start. Jordan's performance was particularly noteworthy as he moved within two tries of Doug Howlett's record of 49 tries for New Zealand, highlighting his growing status as one of the team's key players.

Peter Lakai and outstanding scrum-half Cam Roigard, who scored twice, were also instrumental in securing a bonus-point win for the southern hemisphere giants. Roigard's performance was especially impressive, showcasing his skill and agility, which are critical for a scrum-half in modern .

Six Nations champions France, however, faced disappointment despite a valiant effort. They fell short of achieving a rare win on New Zealand soil, a feat that has historically been challenging for visiting teams. The French side managed to score tries from Damian Penaud, Antoine Hastoy, Theo Attissogbe, and Matthieu Jalibert, illustrating their attacking prowess and ability to compete at the highest level.

France's squad, while strong, was missing key players such as Antoine Dupont and Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Their absence was felt throughout the match, as these players are typically pivotal in both leadership and on-field execution. Despite this, head coach Fabien Galthie fielded a formidable team that included star fly-half Jalibert and record try-scorer Penaud, who has been a standout performer in international .

The match began with a thrilling pace, as France got off to a flying start with Penaud scoring inside the opening two minutes. This early try not only set the tone for the match but also marked a national record-extending achievement for Penaud, who has been a vital player for France. The All Blacks' early struggle was compounded when Ruben Love, making his first Test start at fly-half, was sin-binned for a high tackle, putting additional pressure on the home side.

However, New Zealand quickly responded with Jordan's try, showcasing his speed and determination as he managed to dot down in the corner despite a last-ditch attempt from Attissogbe to push him out of bounds. This scoring exchange set the stage for a back-and-forth contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

France maintained their momentum with a penalty from Maxime Lucu, taking a 10-5 lead, but New Zealand's resilience shone through as they regained the lead with a try from flanker Lakai, who showcased his strength and speed. The lead changed hands multiple times, reflecting the competitive nature of both teams.

Lucu's second penalty gave France a narrow one-point lead, but New Zealand struck back just before halftime with Roigard's darting run, which allowed the All Blacks to head into the break with a six-point cushion. This late first-half score was crucial, as it shifted the momentum back in favor of New Zealand, demonstrating their ability to capitalize on critical moments.

All Blacks hang on in frantic second half

The second half began with France showing admirable tenacity, reclaiming the lead through a try from replacement Hastoy, who was expertly set up by Attissogbe. This moment underscored the depth of talent within the French squad, as they continued to pose a significant threat to the All Blacks.

However, the lead was short-lived, as Roigard quickly scored his second try, showcasing his sharp instincts and ability to exploit defensive gaps. The match continued to ebb and flow, with both teams exchanging blows in a high-stakes contest. A critical moment came when Brau-Boirie failed to gather a kick from Jalibert, which could have led to another scoring opportunity for France. Instead, he redeemed himself moments later by scoring a try, only for it to be ruled out by the television match official (TMO) due to a knock-on.

Attissogbe finally delivered France's try just before the hour mark, bringing the score to 26-25 in favor of New Zealand, though Lucu's failed conversion attempt left them trailing by a single point. This moment set up an intense final quarter, with both teams aware that every possession could determine the outcome of the match.

As the match progressed, Love's penalty extended New Zealand's lead to four points, but Jordan's second try, created through a slick offload from Luke Jacobsen, pushed the All Blacks' advantage to 31-25. France was not done yet, as Jalibert's late try in the 78th minute set up a grandstand finish, leaving fans with a thrilling conclusion to the match.

Despite the mounting pressure, the All Blacks managed to retain possession in the dying moments, demonstrating their experience and composure under pressure. This victory not only marked a successful start to the Nations Championship for New Zealand but also provided valuable insights into both teams' strengths and weaknesses as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures.

Line-ups

New Zealand: McKenzie; Jordan, Tupaea, J Barrett, Clarke; Love, Roigard; De Groot, Taylor, Newell, Lord, Darry, Lakai, Jacobson, Savea (capt).

Replacements: Aumua, Numia, Lomax, Hannah, Sititi, Ratima, Proctor.

Sin-bin: Love (3)

France: M Spring; Penaud, Brau Boirie, Moefana, Attissogbe; Jalibert, Lucu (capt); Poirot, Lamothe, Bamba, Auradou, Staniforth, Bochaton, Jegou, Gazzotti.

Replacements: Massa, Wardi, Montagne, Guillard, Tixeront, Le Garrec, Hastoy, Depoortere.

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)

The implications of this match extend beyond the immediate victory for New Zealand. It sets the tone for the Nations Championship, which features some of the best teams in international , and raises questions about France's ability to perform under pressure in hostile environments. As both teams prepare for their next matches, they will need to analyze their performances, address any weaknesses, and build on their strengths to remain competitive in this prestigious tournament.