All Blacks team naming live updates: Scott Robertson's squad for France series opener revealed
All Blacks v France - all you need to know
All Blacks v France, First test, 7.05pm, Saturday, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
All you need to know as Scott Robertson's side take on France in the first match of the 2025 season.
France have won their past three tests against the All Blacks, stretching back to 2021 and are aiming for four straight over New Zealand for the first time.
They haven't won on New Zealand soil against the All Blacks since 2009.
All Blacks v France history
Played - 64
All Blacks won - 48
France won - 15
Draws - 1
All Blacks points scored - 1663
France points scored - 898
All Blacks v France - What happened last time?
The last time the two sides met was during last year's Northern Tour, with France edging out a 30-29 victory.
It was a performance that offered so much promise but deteriorated to a deflating defeat in Paris for the All Blacks.
The All Blacks weren't helped by several perplexing decisions from Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli – and one baffling TMO decision for a neck roll from replacement prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi – but so, too, were they their own worst enemies with multiple errors proving costly.
Following wins in 2023 and in 2021, France have recorded three victories in succession over the All Blacks.
All Blacks v France line-ups
All Blacks side:
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Announced today
France side:
Announced today
All Blacks v France form guide (last five tests)
All Blacks: W, L, W, W, W
France: W, W, W, L, W
The All Blacks have won six of their last seven with the only defeat against the French in Paris. France are the reigning Six Nations champions with their one loss coming against England at Twickenham.
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All Blacks v France referee
Nic Berry of Australia is in charge of the first test at Dunedin.
All Blacks v France TAB odds
All Blacks: $1.07 Draw: $31 France: $7.50
All Blacks v France - how to follow the action
For live commentary of All Blacks v France, join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.
Plus James McOnie & Mike Lane of The Alternative Commentary Collective will be providing commentary on their iHeartRadio stream.
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and it will be livestreaming on Sky Sport Now.
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RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
All Blacks v France: The good, the bad and the ugly
All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 12 July Sky Stadium, Wellington Live blog updates on RNZ Analysis - With about 20 minutes to go in Saturday night's test match, it's fair to say quite a few of the 30,000-strong crowd at Forsyth Barr Stadium were glad that France hadn't brought their A team. Or even their B team for that matter, as the result hung in the balance until the final couple of minutes that saw the All Blacks prevail 31-27 . This was a pretty unique test match, one where the opposition won enough respect to subdue the normally vociferous response to an All Black performance that didn't yield a one-sided hiding. France were brave, calculated and slick, but it's also fair to say the All Blacks certainly had their moments too. Here's what else we learned: Beauden Barrett. Photo: Peter Meecham / Kicking a penalty and backing the defence and discipline to win the game was a real statement at the end. The All Blacks, who by then were being led by Ardie Savea, were comfortable enough to let France try and attack them for the last stages because by then the visitors had run out of ideas. The key was to not give away any cheap penalties and therefore an attacking lineout, which never even looked like happening. The attacking shape, when it worked, was really nice. Will Jordan's first try was a lovely fold around with Ethan de Groot running a perfect front door line, while Tupou Vaa'i's effort was off a more broken bit of play that Damian McKenzie danced his way through, and Jordie Barrett's came off a very nice touch from his brother in the lead up. Beauden Barrett was perfect off the tee, the first time in a while that an All Black kicker has achieved that feat. They weren't easy either, with three conversions and a penalty near the touchline. This is very heartening given how good McKenzie's kicking form was on last year's northern tour as well. Rieko Ioane of New Zealand and Theo Attissogbe of France compete for the ball. Photo: Peter Meecham / Sevu Reece's injury was so early on it may as well have meant the reshuffle it caused had been the starting team, but it also meant that the All Blacks suddenly had two out and out finishers on the wings instead of Reece's usual role as a trouble maker around the ruck. It clearly took them a while to adjust to this both on attack and defence, something that shouldn't be an issue when the two players in question are Jordan and Rieko Ioane. France's kicking game was just simply better in the first half, with Nolan Le Garrec's pinpoint accuracy seeing the ball come down perfectly to contest. That is not going to change next weekend, so they had better improve that aspect. Gabin Villiere's try was through a huge hole left by two players pinching in on a French block runner, while Cameron Woki's effort was through some softness on the edge of the ruck. Again, this is fixable but not a great look from some players far too experienced to be committing those lapses. Ardie Savea discusses a try that was later disallowed with referee Nic Berry. Photo: Peter Meecham / It said a lot that the biggest cheer of the night was for a witty young man in the crowd holding up a sign saying 'should've gone to Specsavers'. This was after what should have been Jordan's third try was rubbed out by the TMO for obstruction, and the third overall in the game. While all the calls were correct, we once again had to have the game grind to a halt while the officiating crew had a long, boring conversation with one another - and now we'll probably talk about it all week too. Speaking of unhelpful discourse, the years' worth of trash talking the quality of the French team really came back to bite a few pundits. Yes, our knowledge of French rugby is low because we can't actually see it here but calling them 'disrespectful' and 'farcical' was a big call, and one that's likely to change rapidly in the build up to the now very intriguing second test in Wellington.
Otago Daily Times
3 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Une nuit fantastique
Dunedin businesses say it was their "busiest day of the year" when the All Blacks came to town on Saturday. A sold-out crowd of 28,532 filled the stands at Forsyth Barr Stadium to watch the All Blacks test against France, the team battling to fend off a plucky French side before winning 31-27. There was a hush among the crowd when the All Blacks first performed the haka, beneath a spotlight courtesy of last year's lighting upgrade to the stadium. All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor led the haka with a new māripi, a traditional Māori weapon or tool that was specially carved for them. Otago forwards Fabian Holland and Christian Lio-Willie also made promising debuts. The Craic Irish Tavern co-owner Claire Grenfell said Saturday was, for them, "definitely the busiest day of the year". "The rugby crowd's always a fun crowd. You generally get very little trouble and there was a really good contingent of French supporters, which really added to the atmosphere." Major events such as test matches were "a real lifeline" and "absolutely vital" for the city's hospitality sector, she said. Christchurch's $683 million One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha is scheduled to open in April, with concerns Dunedin could lose out on hosting another All Blacks test next year once completed. Ms Grenfell said it would definitely hurt if Dunedin did not host another test match in 2026, but had faith in the Dunedin stadium's reputation. "I realise Christchurch getting their stadium online is a potential sort of threat to that. "Hopefully Dunedin's had a really good long track record of delivering on events and having a great atmosphere in town as well, which is really key." Brew Bar co-owner Mark Fraser said they filled up with patrons pretty quickly from Saturday lunch onwards. It was "absolutely chocker". "Obviously, busiest day of the year for us. "Friday was good, but Saturday was unbelievable." The business also hosted a separate activation in the Octagon, which went "incredibly well", Mr Fraser said. It reached capacity of almost 400 patrons not long after 3pm. Events such as Saturday's test were "crucial to the hospitality scene", he said. "[Saturday] is a perfect example of how well Dunedin does do big events ... from a financial point of view, it would be a bitter pill to swallow if we didn't get one." Dunedin Venues chief executive Paul Doorn said it was a great night and he was "captivated" by the game. It was his first All Blacks test since taking up the reins of the stadium, and was "a big step up from Highlanders games". "As expected, a lot of hot chips consumed, a lot of pies eaten, and a lot of people enjoyed themselves from a hospitality perspective." Mr Doorn said they were working with New Zealand Rugby on the test schedule for the next two years and another venue, such as Christchurch's new stadium, created additional competition. "Am I fearful of it? Not at all." When events came to Dunedin, the "whole city gets behind it", he said. "Doing an event under a roof like that means you are completely weatherproofed and the quality of the product gets to shine on the field. "And ultimately, the All Blacks continue to have a lot of success at Dunedin. "From our perspective, if you're New Zealand Rugby trying to weigh up your options — not just Christchurch or Dunedin, but options across New Zealand — I think we had our very best foot forward last night. "I'm sure that will hold us in good stead for games into the future." A police spokesman said no incidents were reported on Saturday night.
Otago Daily Times
3 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Trophy retained, stays in Wānaka
After a bizarre weekend of premier club rugby in Central Otago in which one game was cancelled and two players sinbinned for not wearing mouthguards, Upper Clutha outgunned Wakatipu 17-6 in the murk in Wānaka to retain the White Horse Trophy. The victory most importantly elevated Upper Clutha to top qualifiers, earning them a home semifinal against Maniototo next weekend and, should they win that, means they will host the Central final for the third season in a row. Despite the loss, Wakatipu will host the other semifinal against Alexandra, who came unstuck — or perhaps that should read "got stuck" — in the mud at Omakau, losing 21-20 to the much-improved Matakanui Combined combination. Whether that semifinal will be staged at the Queenstown Recreation Ground remains to be seen, because the surface there was a mudbath for Wakatipu's recent clash with Alexandra. Mud was not a factor at Wānaka, but with the inversion layer having taken up permanent residence there the temperature was a mere 4degC and the surface damp and greasy. Upper Clutha dominated the first half, centre Oliver Stirling and winger Jack East scoring tries to give their side a 12-3 lead, and coach Alex Dickson ecstatic at having every member of his squad finally injury-free. Wakatipu upped their game after halftime but, despite taking up residence deep in Upper Clutha's half for about 20 minutes, could manage just one penalty goal. With six minutes remaining, Wakatipu's win hopes dissipated when replacement flanker Paulie Tuala was sin-binned for not wearing a mouthguard. He was the second such case, Upper Clutha's French import Arthur Boutillier having copped 10 minutes in the bin earlier for the same offence. "Our Frenchman didn't fully understand what he was guilty of," Dickson said. "When he came back on, he was holding the mouthguard in his hand until the referee (Jonathan Homer) told him if he didn't start wearing it, he would show him a red card." With Wakatipu down to 14 men, Upper Clutha demolished their scrum, creating a gift try for winger Jake Greer. Upper Clutha's man of the match award was shared by centre Stirling and lock Andrew Horne, and there was much to admire about their front row of Scott Cunningham, Blair Kennedy and Fergus Smith, who collectively claim 251 club caps. Cunningham's next appearance will be his 100th. Out Omakau way, Matakanui registered their second victory of the season, thanks to accurate goalkicking by Jordan Smith and yet another try by captain Dean Sinnamon, his 11th of the season. Alexandra flanker Sam Chapman drew level with him on 11 tries and can claim top spot in next weekend's semifinal. The Maniototo-Arrowtown game, scheduled for Jack Reid Park, was cancelled. Because of the test in Dunedin, Arrowtown wanted to stage the game on Friday night, but that did not suit Maniototo. By Bob Howitt
