The All Blacks triumphed over France 34-32 in a thrilling opener of the inaugural Nations Championship on July 4, 2026, in Christchurch. Will Jordan scored two tries, helping New Zealand secure a hard-fought win against the Six Nations champions.
Match Highlights and Key Performances
In a captivating match, the All Blacks showcased their attacking prowess with tries from Jordan (2), Peter Lakai, and scrum-half Cam Roigard (2). The home team started strong, but France’s early penalty from Maxime Lucu and first try by Damian Penaud gave them a brief lead.
Despite missing key players like Antoine Dupont, France responded admirably. Tries from Antoine Hastoy, Theo Attissogbe, and Matthieu Jalibert kept them in contention until the final moments.
Turning Points in the Game
The match swung back and forth, with France initially taking a 10-5 lead through Penaud's early try. New Zealand regained the lead with Lakai's score followed by Roigard's close-range effort just before halftime, ending the first half 19-13 in favor of the All Blacks.
In the second half, the game intensified. The French side fought back valiantly, with Attissogbe scoring to narrow the gap to 26-25. However, Jordan's clutch finish and Roigard's second try proved decisive in the final quarter.
Post-Match Reactions
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea praised his team's resilience, stating, "A Test match is always going to bring its challenges. France came to play and put us under pressure. I am proud of the boys for what they put in." The All Blacks will host Italy next weekend, while France will travel to face Australia.
- Final Score: New Zealand 34 - 32 France
- Tries: Jordan (2), Lakai, Roigard (2) for New Zealand; Penaud, Hastoy, Attissogbe, Jalibert for France
- Penalties: Love (3) for New Zealand; Lucu (2) for France
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC Sport. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
