New Zealand hosts France in Nations Championship opener in Christchurch
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 3, 2026, 11:01 PM
Last updated Jul 3, 2026
New Zealand faces France on July 4 at 8:10 am BST in Christchurch during the inaugural Nations Championship. This match marks the first fixture for the All Blacks at the newly built One New Zealand Stadium, replacing the damaged Lancaster Park. Under head coach Dave Rennie, New Zealand's lineup includes Ardie Savea as captain and sees the debut of several players. France, captained by Maxime Lucu, features a mix of experienced and new players, with the team emboldened by their recent successes in European competitions. Live coverage will be available on ITV1 starting at 7:30 am BST.
- •Kick-off is set for July 4 at 8:10 am BST.
- •All Blacks play their first match at One New Zealand Stadium.
- •Dave Rennie leads New Zealand as head coach in his debut.
- •Maxime Lucu captains France with a mix of familiar and new faces.
- •Live coverage available in the UK on ITV1.
- 11:01 PMYahoo Sports — Is New Zealand v France on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch All Blacks in Nations Championship
"Everything you need to know ahead of the start of the Nations Championship
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