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CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - New Zealand opened the Dave Rennie coaching era with a tense 34-32 victory over an understrength France in the first Nations Championship test at the new Te Kaha stadium on Saturday. Scrumhalf Cam Roigard and winger Will Jordan each scored two tries, with Sam Lakai also crossing as the All Blacks turned around an early deficit in front of a full house. Recently confirmed captain Ardie Savea sparked the hosts’ response by winning a crucial turnover in scoring territory, allowing Jordie Barrett to send a long pass to Jordan for New Zealand’s first try in the eighth minute. Twelve minutes later, a sweeping move down the opposite flank ended with Lakai finishing a neat one-two with winger Caleb Clarke to extend the lead after France’s fast start. France, the Six Nations champions, were without captain Antoine Dupont and several other first-choice players rested after the Top 14 final, but their replacements kept the contest at a high tempo. Winger Damien Penaud struck barely a minute after kickoff, capitalising on a move that also saw debutant All Blacks flyhalf Ruben Love shown a yellow card for high contact on fullback Max Spring in the buildup. Maxime Lucu landed two penalties to keep Les Bleus in touch, before Roigard’s first try sent New Zealand into halftime 19-13 ahead. The try-fest continued after the break as replacement flyhalf Antoine Hastoy and winger Theo Atissogbe scored to keep France in contention, and Matthieu Jalibert crossed in the 77th minute, with Hastoy converting to cut the gap to two points. However, Love’s earlier penalty and Jordan’s second try had given the All Blacks just enough of a cushion to withstand the late surge and deny France a first win in New Zealand since 2009.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.