The All Blacks commenced their Test series with a narrow victory, defeating a compromised French team by just four points. Their performance revealed both strengths and weaknesses, particularly in defence, as they navigated the match without key player Sevu Reece, who was injured early on.
The game, held before a crowd of 28,532, saw the All Blacks score four tries, mainly through a slick backline led by Beauden Barrett. However, the defensive lapses were concerning, especially as they led only by a slim margin of 28-27 with 25 minutes left on the clock. A yellow card shown to French winger Gabin Villiere offered a glimmer of hope for New Zealand to extend their lead, but a contentious decision by referee Nic Berry ruled out a potential third try for Will Jordan, adding tension to the closing minutes as the French sought an upset.
Despite dominating possession and territory for the last 30 minutes, the All Blacks struggled against a determined French defence. This culminated in a late penalty from Barrett, establishing a four-point cushion just six minutes before full-time, ultimately sealing the victory after France couldn’t capitalise on their final possession.
In terms of player performances, the All Blacks’ lineup saw mixed results. New players Fabian Holland and Christian Lio-Willie impressed, offering reliable lineout play and physical presence. Meanwhile, Billy Proctor contributed to the All Blacks’ third try but was caught out defensively during a French score. Rieko Ioane faced challenges on the wing, struggling to maintain composure on a crucial play.
The match started with evident nerves, the All Blacks appearing to be stuck in Super Rugby mindset, failing to establish momentum as France controlled early exchanges, particularly through debutant number 10 Joris Segonds’ effective kicking. A disallowed try for Jordie Barrett added to the early frustrations before France struck first, with Mickael Guillard scoring after an incisive run by Theo Attissogbe broke through the All Blacks’ defence.
Acknowledging their need for a swift response, New Zealand rallied through Will Jordan’s try, followed by contributions from Tupou Vaa’i and Jordie Barrett, leading to a halftime score of 21-13 in their favour.
Ultimately, while they secured a hard-fought win, the All Blacks will need to rectify their defensive vulnerabilities quickly if they hope to improve in upcoming matches. The final score read New Zealand 31, France 27, highlighting both the competitive spirit of the French side and areas for growth within the All Blacks’ structure.