New Zealand Defeats France 34-32 in Nations Championship Opener

1-Minute Brief

The closely contested match marks the start of the inaugural Nations Championship, drawing attention to both teams' early form in the new tournament.

Key Facts

• New Zealand beat France 34-32 in Christchurch in the opening game of the Nations Championship.
• Will Jordan scored two tries for New Zealand.
• The match featured a total of nine tries.
• The game marked the beginning of Dave Rennie’s tenure as New Zealand coach.
• The Nations Championship is being held for the first time.

What Happened

New Zealand narrowly defeated France 34-32 in Christchurch in the opening match of the inaugural Nations Championship, with Will Jordan scoring twice in a high-scoring contest.

Why It Matters

The match set the tone for the new Nations Championship, highlighting the competitiveness between top rugby nations and offering early insights into team strategies and leadership.

What's Next

Both teams will prepare for their next fixtures in the Nations Championship, with attention on how they adapt following the closely fought opener.