All Blacks overcome France in Nations Championship thriller
ESPN Rugby • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 4, 2026, 9:03 AM
Last updated Jul 4, 2026
The All Blacks prevailed 34-32 over France in a high-scoring Nations Championship opener on July 4, 2026, in Christchurch. Will Jordan scored twice, marking a standout performance as New Zealand secured a thrilling victory with nine tries combined from both teams. New Zealand's additional tries came from Peter Lakai and Cam Roigard, who scored two, while France responded through tries by Damian Penaud, Antoine Hastoy, Theo Attissogbe, and Matthieu Jalibert. The match showcased the competitive spirit of both sides, with France narrowly missing a win on New Zealand soil. New Zealand will face Italy next weekend, while France is set to travel to Australia.
- •All Blacks scored four tries, including two by Will Jordan.
- •France scored four tries but fell short despite strong performance.
- •The match featured a total of nine tries by both teams.
- •New Zealand's next match is against Italy; France will face Australia.
- 1:14 PMESPN Rugby — All Blacks kick off new era by winning hectic thri...
- 9:40 AMYahoo Sports — New Zealand edges France 34-32 to open rugby's first Nations Championship
- 9:03 AMYahoo Sports — All Blacks beat France in thrilling Nations Championship opener
- 9:03 AMBBC Sport — All Blacks beat France in thrilling Nations Championship opener
- 8:55 AMYahoo Sports — Nations Championship: Reaction after All Blacks beat France by two points in exciting match
"New Zealand opened rugby's inaugural Nations Championship, and a new era under head coach Dave Rennie, with an ambitious but deeply-flawed 34-32 win over France on Saturday. Rennie called for two qualities from the All Blacks, brutality and optimism, and they produced both but only in patches. Errors of execution and discipline forced by the relentlessness of a French team stripped of many of its leading players meant New Zealand was unable to secure its win until the final minutes.
"New Zealand have opened rugby's inaugural Nations Championship, and a fresh era under new coach Dave Rennie, with an ambitious, thrilling but far from flawless 34-32 win over France.
"Follow build-up, team news, scores & live text updates as New Zealand face France before Australia host Ireland in the Nations Championship at Allianz Stadium, Sydney.
Sources
External links- ESPN RugbyJul 4, 2026, 1:14 PMAll Blacks kick off new era by winning hectic thri...
New Zealand have opened rugby's inaugural Nations Championship, and a fresh era under new coach Dave Rennie, with an ambitious, thrilling but far from flawless 34-32 win over France.
- Yahoo SportsJul 4, 2026, 9:40 AMNew Zealand edges France 34-32 to open rugby's first Nations Championship
New Zealand opened rugby's inaugural Nations Championship, and a new era under head coach Dave Rennie, with an ambitious but deeply-flawed 34-32 win over France on Saturday. Rennie called for two qualities from the All Blacks, brutality and optimism, and they produced both but only in patches. Errors of execution and discipline forced by the relentlessness of a French team stripped of many of its leading players meant New Zealand was unable to secure its win until the final minutes.
- Yahoo SportsJul 4, 2026, 9:03 AMAll Blacks beat France in thrilling Nations Championship opener
Will Jordan scores twice to help New Zealand beat France as the inaugural Nations Championship opens with a captivating, nine-try thriller in Christchurch.
- BBC SportJul 4, 2026, 9:03 AMAll Blacks beat France in thrilling Nations Championship opener
Will Jordan scores twice to help New Zealand beat France as the inaugural Nations Championship opens with a captivating, nine-try thriller in Christchurch.
- Yahoo SportsJul 4, 2026, 8:55 AMNations Championship: Reaction after All Blacks beat France by two points in exciting match
Follow build-up, team news, scores & live text updates as New Zealand face France before Australia host Ireland in the Nations Championship at Allianz Stadium, Sydney.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- Six Nations•Sep 19, 2026, 7:04 PM'Greater things to come' says Mitchell after England winning run ends
Six Nations•Sep 19, 2026, 8:40 AMWales deliver performance of serious promise- Six Nations•Sep 19, 2026, 7:49 AMWRU sticking to three-team plan - Reddin
Six Nations•Sep 18, 2026, 11:33 AMAdams Verling handed Ireland debut for WXV opener
Six Nations•Sep 18, 2026, 3:34 AMAnscombe happy to play Scarlets supporting role- Six Nations•Sep 17, 2026, 3:24 PMRees-Zammit to return to wing for new season