All Blacks Edge France in Dunedin Classic Amid Drama and Debuts
Wow, what a match that was! If you caught the All Blacks vs France clash in Dunedin, you know exactly what I mean—it was a pulsating, nerve-wracking, edge-of-your-seat kind of game. The All Blacks managed to hold off a gritty and under-strength French side, securing a 31-27 victory in what turned out to be an absolute thriller. Despite the win, it was far from smooth sailing for Scott Robertson’s men.
Let’s set the scene. This was the first Test of the Lipovitan-D July Series, and the All Blacks were under pressure—coming into the game on a three-match losing streak against France, and with some fresh faces stepping up. But so too were the French, who were missing many of their Six Nations stars, yet still came out swinging.
Right from the first minute, it was drama. Sevu Reece was forced off after a nasty head knock, which meant Damian McKenzie had to step into fullback straight off the bench. France smelled blood and capitalised early, racing to a 10-0 lead thanks to some sharp play and a try from Mickaël Guillard. It looked like the All Blacks might be in real trouble.
But then, the Barrett brothers got to work—Scott charging down a kick, Beauden whipping out a magical looped pass, and Will Jordan touching down. It was vintage All Blacks flair. From there, it was tit for tat. Jordan grabbed another try later on, McKenzie weaved through defenders, and Tupou Vaa’i bulldozed his way over the line.
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Still, France refused to back down. They showed incredible fight—Joris Segonds orchestrating well, and Villière finding gaps in the All Blacks defense. At one point, the French were within striking distance again after Cameron Woki crossed under the posts. This was a proper test match—a high-pressure arm-wrestle right till the final whistle.
There were also some heartbreak moments for the All Blacks. Billy Proctor looked like he’d sealed the game with a try, but it was ruled out. Then Jordan had a would-be hat-trick chalked off after the TMO spotted an obstruction in the buildup. That’s how tight and tense it got.
In the end, it came down to Beauden Barrett’s cool head and precision boot. A late penalty kick gave New Zealand the cushion they needed, and they clung on through the final moments.
What’s exciting too is the new talent stepping up—Christian Lio-Willie on debut at No. 8, and Fabian Holland making his first appearance in black at lock. Both looked like they belonged on the big stage. Lio-Willie spoke after the match about the trust and bond in the forward pack, and you could see it in the way they played.
Coach Robertson described it as a “typical Test against France”—and that says it all. Grit, drama, and nothing easy about it.
This match wasn’t just a win on the scoreboard—it was a statement of resilience, adaptability, and the start of a new chapter under Razor Robertson’s leadership. France, depleted or not, proved why they’re a global rugby force. But the All Blacks? They showed they’re not ready to give up that mantle just yet.
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