Will Jordan's 70th-minute try seals All Blacks' tense Nations Championship opener against France

New Zealand claimed a hard-fought victory over France in Christchurch in the first Test of the inaugural Nations Championship, with Will Jordan’s try in the 70th minute proving the difference after a contest that swung back and forth for the full 80 minutes under the roof of Te Kaha.

France made the perfect start, scoring inside two minutes when Damian Penaud burst through a gap in centrefield to open the scoring. The try was immediately followed by controversy, as Ruben Love’s high tackle on Penaud was reviewed by the TMO and the New Zealand No.10 was sent to the sin bin.

Down to 14 men, the All Blacks refused to sit back. An Ardie Savea breakdown steal helped New Zealand work the ball wide, and Jordan dived over in the corner to level matters. France responded through two Matthieu Jalibert grubbers that tested the New Zealand defence, with Damian McKenzie required to cover back on the first before the second ran dead. A Maxime Lucu penalty put France back in front at 10-7.

New Zealand regained the lead when Peter Lakai and Caleb Clarke combined down the left edge, with Clarke finishing for his second Test try. Lucu’s second penalty nudged France back ahead at 13-12 after 30 minutes, with New Zealand’s lineout looking uncertain even as the scrum remained competitive.

The hosts finished the half strongly. Cam Roigard sold a dummy at the base of a ruck to dart through and score, giving New Zealand a 19-13 lead at the interval. The All Blacks recorded a remarkable 94 per cent quick ball rate in the opening half, while France were not far behind at 81 per cent.

New Zealand’s decision-making became ragged early in the second half as the desire to play at pace outpaced their accuracy. France steadily clawed their way back into contention, and a clever lobbed assist from Theo Attissogbe set up a try that brought the visitors level. The lead changed hands again before Jordan’s decisive score in the 70th minute gave the All Blacks the cushion they needed.

France launched one final charge in the closing stages but could not find the score to deny the hosts, who began the Dave Rennie era with a win that reflected the fine margins separating two of the world’s leading Test sides.