The commencement of the Dave Rennie era for the All Blacks was marked by a thrilling victory over France, signaling the start of the Nations Championship with a nail-biting 34-32 win on Saturday. Cam Roigard and Will Jordan were the standout performers, each crossing the line twice to secure the win in a closely contested match.
The game, held in Christchurch, saw an explosive start from the French side, with right winger Damian Penaud scoring within the opening minutes. However, New Zealand quickly countered through Will Jordan. The match intensity was further amplified by a yellow card to Ruben Love and a penalty from Maxime Lucu, keeping the French within striking distance. Before the half-time whistle, the All Blacks pushed ahead with tries from flanker Peter Lakai and scrumhalf Cam Roigard, ending the first half with a 19-13 lead.
France was quick to respond after the break with Antoine Hastoy making an immediate impact off the bench. However, the relentless Roigard soon added another try to his tally. As the game progressed, left winger Theo Attissogbe's try kept the hopes alive for Les Bleus. A crucial penalty from Love extended the All Blacks' lead, but it was Will Jordan's second try that truly tilted the game in their favor.
Despite a late surge from France, including a converted try by flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert, the All Blacks managed to hold on to their slender lead. The match concluded with the scoreboard reading 34-32 in favor of the home team.
"It was a true test of our resolve, and I'm proud of how the team handled the pressure," said Dave Rennie, reflecting on his first match in charge.
All Blacks' scoring was led by Will Jordan and Cam Roigard, each with two tries, while Peter Lakai added one. Ruben Love contributed with three conversions and a penalty. For France, tries were scored by Damian Penaud, Antoine Hastoy, Theo Attissogbe, and Matthieu Jalibert, with Maxime Lucu adding two conversions and two penalties, complemented by a conversion from Hastoy.
This match not only set the tone for Rennie’s tenure but also highlighted the competitive spirit and high skill level expected in the Nations Championship.
Teams: All Blacks: Will Jordan, Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love France: Damian Penaud, Antoine Hastoy, Theo Attissogbe, Matthieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucu