All Blacks Face France in Crucial Second Test at Sky Stadium

The All Blacks are set to face France in a high-stakes second test at Wellington’s Sky Stadium, a match that could decide the fate of the series. With the first test ending in a tight 31-27 victory for the All Blacks, the pressure is on for the home side to maintain their dominance as they aim to secure the Dave Gallaher Trophy.

The game, scheduled to kick off at 7:05 PM, promises to be an intense battle. France, buoyed by their strong performance in the first test, will be looking to break their long-standing record of not defeating the All Blacks on home soil since 2009. However, the All Blacks have a formidable history in Wellington, with a record of 49 wins, 15 losses, and one draw in their 65 encounters.

Key players on the All Blacks' side include captain Ardie Savea, who has been instrumental in the team's recent success, and Beauden Barrett, whose leadership and skill have been crucial. On the other hand, France’s lineup includes experienced players such as Baptiste Erdocio and Gaetan Barlot, who will look to capitalize on any weaknesses in the All Blacks' defense.

The referee for the match, Christophe Ridley of England, will be making his debut in an All Blacks test. While this may be a new experience for him, several All Blacks players, including Quinn Tupaea and Ollie Norris, may have encountered him in previous matches, such as a New Zealand under-20s defeat to Wales in 2019.

The odds for the match are in favor of the All Blacks, with the team priced at $1.16 to win, while a draw is at $21 and France at $5. The All Blacks have been in strong form, winning seven of their last eight tests, and a victory in this match would see their winning percentage reach 75% under coach Scott Robertson.

For fans unable to attend the match, live commentary will be available on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport, and iHeartRadio, with additional coverage from the Alternative Commentary Collective on their iHeartRadio stream. The game will also be broadcast on Sky Sport 1 and streamed live on Sky Sport Now.

As the All Blacks prepare for this crucial test, the team will be looking to build on their momentum from the first game and continue their dominance over France. With the stakes high and the pressure on, this match is sure to be a thrilling encounter for rugby fans around the world.

For more updates, follow the latest news and analysis from the All Blacks vs. France series.