All Blacks Secure Narrow Victory Against France

The All Blacks, under head coach Scott Robertson, managed a hard-fought 31-27 victory over a weakened French side in their first test of the 2025 season at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. The match, marked by errors and defensive frailties, highlighted the need for immediate improvement ahead of next week's second test in Wellington.

A Challenging Start for the All Blacks

The All Blacks were expected to dominate a French team missing most of its top players, with only five members from the Top 14 finalists included in the squad. However, the visitors defied all expectations, taking an early 10-0 lead and keeping the hosts under constant pressure throughout the match.

The All Blacks struggled with basic execution, displaying rust in their handling, kicking, and cleanout work. A total of 16 turnovers were conceded, compared to France's six, as the visitors capitalized on repeated mistakes to stay competitive.

Key Performances and Turning Points

Will Jordan emerged as a bright spot for the All Blacks, scoring two tries and showing his usual flair on the wing. Rookie Christian Lio-Willie also made an impressive debut, while lock Tupou Vaa’i crossed the try line following a scrum penalty. Beauden Barrett, in his usual captaincy role, converted four penalties and a try to keep the All Blacks in the contest.

The match turned in the second half when Gabin Villière's yellow card for an intentional knockdown briefly gave the All Blacks an advantage. However, they failed to capitalize, with several tries disallowed due to marginal infractions. Billy Proctor and Jordan both had tries ruled out, with the latter denied a hat-trick for obstruction.

France's Resilience and Tactical Gains

France, fielding a squad with an average of just 14 test caps per player and featuring eight rookies, showcased a level of resilience and tactical discipline that stunned the All Blacks. Fullback Theo Attissogbe opened the scoring with a sharp break, setting up Mickael Guillard's try in the early stages. Villière and Cameron Woki added to the French tally, with fly-half Nolann Le Garrec converting three penalties and a try.

Despite losing Sevu Reece early in the game due to a head injury, the All Blacks made adjustments, with Damian McKenzie stepping in at fullback and Jordan shifting to the right wing. However, these changes did not prevent defensive lapses, as France continued to exploit spaces in the All Blacks' backline.

Looking Ahead: The Need for Immediate Improvement

While the All Blacks ultimately secured the win, the performance raised concerns. Coach Scott Robertson will be disappointed with the lack of clinical finishing and the defensive vulnerabilities on display. The team created numerous opportunities but failed to convert them into a decisive advantage.

Next week's second test against France in Wellington will be critical. The All Blacks must address their handling errors, improve their defensive structure, and ensure they capitalize on key moments in the opposition's half. With the series finely balanced, the coming match will determine the direction of the 2025 season.

Match Summary

• All Blacks: 31 points (Will Jordan 2 tries, Tupou Vaa’i, Jordie Barrett tries; Beauden Barrett 4 conversions, 1 penalty)
• France: 27 points (Mickael Guillard, Gabin Villière, Cameron Woki tries; Nolann Le Garrec 3 conversions, 1 penalty; Joris Segonds penalty)
• Half-time score: 21-13 in favor of the All Blacks