HIGHLIGHTS | All Blacks vs France | First Test, 2025

All Blacks

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The first All Blacks v France Test of 2025, played in a packed-to-the-rafters Eden Park, delivered spectacular highlights worthy of a clash between two heavyweights of world rugby. Right from the kickoff, the New Zealand XV set the tempo with long periods of possession and a try by Rieko Ioane in the 8th minute, converted by Richie Mo’unga. France, however, hit back quickly: Antoine Dupont surprised the defence with a break from a scrum to score under the posts, drawing Les Bleus level. A drop goal from Emilien Gailleton even put the visitors briefly in front, before a charged-down clearance allowed Will Jordan to touch down. At the break, the All Blacks led 17–14.

The French returned from the dressing room with renewed aggression. Damian Penaud intercepted a loose Beauden Barrett pass and sprinted between the uprights, swinging the score to 21–17 in favour of Les Bleus. New Zealand’s response was immediate: Jordie Barrett burst through the line and, after a lightning quick off-load, set up Ardie Savea for a try in the corner. Moments later, a turnover won by Dalton Papalii resulted in a penalty that Mo’unga slotted calmly, restoring a three-point cushion for the hosts.

The final twenty minutes were a tactical arm-wrestle. Fabien Galthié brought on fresh legs in Sipili Falatea and Sekou Macalou, while Ian Foster summoned Samisoni Taukei’aho to shore up the scrum. Thomas Ramos levelled the scores at 28–28 with a long-range kick, but French discipline faltered at the wrong moment: an offside in the 76th minute handed Mo’unga the winning penalty. Final score: All Blacks 31, France 28.

Statistically, the match was almost perfectly balanced: New Zealand enjoyed 52 % possession to France’s 48 %, made seven line breaks to six, and both sides posted tackle-success rates of around 90 %. Sam Cane, imperious at the breakdown, was named man of the match, while Antoine Dupont once again shone with his vision and leadership.

This victory gives the All Blacks a 1–0 lead in the series heading into the second Test in Wellington. For France, the performance remains encouraging: their ability to strike off turnover ball and their solidity in the line-out suggest another tight contest in the next encounter. The highlights of this first 2025 Test confirm that the All Blacks-France rivalry remains one of the most captivating in international rugby

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