New Zealand Edges Past France in Thrilling Nations Championship Tournament Opener
The All Blacks claimed a 34-32 win over France in a high-scoring Nations Championship opener in Christchurch. Despite an early yellow card for Ruben Love in his first start at 10, Will Jordan’s brace helped New Zealand secure a hard-fought victory under new coach Dave Rennie.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1 MIN READ- New Zealand secured a narrow 34-32 victory over France in the Nations Championship opener.
- Ruben Love faced a challenging first Test start at 10, receiving an early yellow card.
- Will Jordan scored two crucial tries, moving within two of the national record.
- Dave Rennie earned his first win as All Blacks head coach after taking over in January.
The inaugural Nations Championship kicked off in Christchurch with a thrilling encounter that saw New Zealand narrowly edge past France in a 34-32 victory. The match, which featured nine tries in total, marked a high-stakes beginning for the tournament under the leadership of new All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie.
Ruben Love's First Test Start at 10
A major talking point of the match was the selection of Ruben Love, who made his first Test start at the fly-half position. His initiation into the starting lineup was challenging, as Ruben Love was sin-binned for a high tackle within the first two minutes of the game. Despite this early setback, the All Blacks managed to regain their composure and leverage their attacking capabilities throughout the game.
Will Jordan was instrumental for the hosts, scoring two pivotal tries in the 7th and 71st minutes. These scores brought his international tally to 47, putting him just two tries behind Doug Howlett's all-time record for New Zealand. The offensive effort was bolstered by Peter Lakai and scrum-half Cam Roigard, who also contributed two tries to secure the bonus-point win.
Tactical Battles and French Resilience
France, despite missing key stars like Antoine Dupont, remained a formidable opponent throughout the evening. Their scoring efforts came through Damian Penaud, Antoine Hastoy, Theo Attissogbe, and Matthieu Jalibert. The French side showed impressive pace and forced the All Blacks to defend under significant pressure.
Coach Dave Rennie expressed pride in his team's mindset and high-tempo playing style, noting that the squad achieved nearly 85% quick ball retention. However, he also highlighted the need for greater defensive accuracy and more consistent execution as the team continues to develop its combinations. Looking ahead, New Zealand is scheduled to host Italy next weekend, while France prepares for an upcoming match in Australia.
