Latest news with #ForsythBarrStadium
RNZ News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: All Blacks coach Scott Robertson lauds ‘a lot of positive stories' in tight win over France
Despite the result being a lot closer than many thought, All Black coach Scott Robertson is pleased with what he saw in the first test of the year. His side triumphed 31-27 over a brave but understrength French team that pushed the All Blacks all the way to the full time whistle. "It was a hell of a test match," said Robertson after the highly entertaining game in front of a capacity Forsyth Barr Stadium crowd. "We knew any French team that's going to play a game on tour that's been written off is going to put up a scrap, fight for everything. They didn't go away." The All Blacks had three tries disallowed by the officials, including one that denied Will Jordan scoring a hat trick. Will Jordan scores a try. Photo: Marty Melville / "We could've probably tried to get a couple scores, two scores ahead, so they had to play a little bit more. Percentages and stuff, and territory and possession were in our hands. We just didn't quite finish enough to put pressure on them, so they had to play, not kick," said Robertson. Four players - Fabian Holland, Christin Lio-Willie, Du'Plessis Kirifi and Ollie Norris - all made their test debuts and Robertson was happy with what the quartet brought to the table. "I was really pleased for them, all them all stepped up and made an impact. Fabian went the whole 80…we had a couple of big moments," said Robertson, who quipped that his new lock could've "gone for 100 I reckon, he's a big man with a big engine." Jordie Barrett Théo Attissogbe challenge for the ball. Photo: Marty Melville / One of the downsides of the win was a head injury to Sevu Reece, with Robertson confirming that the wing will be out of action for at least a week after a failed HIA. Reece collided with the hip of French first five Joris Segonds after only two minutes, bringing on Damian McKenzie and reshuffling the backline. "Will ([ordan]'s played a lot of rugby on the wing and [McKenzie]'s played a lot of footy too. So the coverage of the backfield was a little bit different…it changed a bit of stuff we were looking at, but the experience came on." Robertson praised the All Black set piece and discipline, and it's hard not to agree with him as the forwards won all 20 of their lineouts and conceded only three penalties. Tackle accuracy was at 94 percent, and they carried the ball twice as often as the French. Add all that up though, and the main takeaway is that the margin of victory probably should've been higher. "We just didn't quite finish enough to put pressure on them," Robertson admitted. "Playing fast created so much, we just didn't finish them off…(but) we stayed brave, which was the key. You know that second half was a pretty impressive performance, minus a couple of finishing tries." In all fairness, the main point of discussion should be the effort of Fabien Galthié's French third stringers. They came within a try of extending their win streak over the All Blacks to four matches, and showcased some impressive talent at both ends of the experience spectrum. Captain Gaël Fickou was prominent in the midfield, while number eight Mickael Guillard was immense on both sides of the ball. It said a lot that the All Blacks opted to kick a penalty with seven minutes to play and effectively back their defence to close the game out, though. "The French were pretty ruthless. They had a high conversion rate and knock on the front door and keep coming. They're pretty powerful, so I was pleased that the defence got us the result."
RNZ News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: All Blacks coact Scott Robertson lauds ‘a lot of positive stories' in tight win over France
Despite the result being a lot closer than many thought, All Black coach Scott Robertson is pleased with what he saw in the first test of the year. His side triumphed 31-27 over a brave but understrength French team that pushed the All Blacks all the way to the full time whistle. "It was a hell of a test match," said Robertson after the highly entertaining game in front of a capacity Forsyth Barr Stadium crowd. "We knew any French team that's going to play a game on tour that's been written off is going to put up a scrap, fight for everything. They didn't go away." The All Blacks had three tries disallowed by the officials, including one that denied Will Jordan scoring a hat trick. Will Jordan scores a try. Photo: Marty Melville / "We could've probably tried to get a couple scores, two scores ahead, so they had to play a little bit more. Percentages and stuff, and territory and possession were in our hands. We just didn't quite finish enough to put pressure on them, so they had to play, not kick," said Robertson. Four players - Fabian Holland, Christin Lio-Willie, Du'Plessis Kirifi and Ollie Norris - all made their test debuts and Robertson was happy with what the quartet brought to the table. "I was really pleased for them, all them all stepped up and made an impact. Fabian went the whole 80…we had a couple of big moments," said Robertson, who quipped that his new lock could've "gone for 100 I reckon, he's a big man with a big engine." Jordie Barrett Théo Attissogbe challenge for the ball. Photo: Marty Melville / One of the downsides of the win was a head injury to Sevu Reece, with Robertson confirming that the wing will be out of action for at least a week after a failed HIA. Reece collided with the hip of French first five Joris Segonds after only two minutes, bringing on Damian McKenzie and reshuffling the backline. "Will ([ordan]'s played a lot of rugby on the wing and [McKenzie]'s played a lot of footy too. So the coverage of the backfield was a little bit different…it changed a bit of stuff we were looking at, but the experience came on." Robertson praised the All Black set piece and discipline, and it's hard not to agree with him as the forwards won all 20 of their lineouts and conceded only three penalties. Tackle accuracy was at 94 percent, and they carried the ball twice as often as the French. Add all that up though, and the main takeaway is that the margin of victory probably should've been higher. "We just didn't quite finish enough to put pressure on them," Robertson admitted. "Playing fast created so much, we just didn't finish them off…(but) we stayed brave, which was the key. You know that second half was a pretty impressive performance, minus a couple of finishing tries." In all fairness, the main point of discussion should be the effort of Fabien Galthié's French third stringers. They came within a try of extending their win streak over the All Blacks to four matches, and showcased some impressive talent at both ends of the experience spectrum. Captain Gaël Fickou was prominent in the midfield, while number eight Mickael Guillard was immense on both sides of the ball. It said a lot that the All Blacks opted to kick a penalty with seven minutes to play and effectively back their defence to close the game out, though. "The French were pretty ruthless. They had a high conversion rate and knock on the front door and keep coming. They're pretty powerful, so I was pleased that the defence got us the result."
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sluggish New Zealand overcome depleted France
New Zealand's Will Jordan was denied a hat-trick after a review by the television match official (TMO) [Getty Images] First Test: New Zealand v France New Zealand (21) 31 Tries: Jordan 2, Vaai'i, Cons: 4 Pens: France (13) 27 Tries: Guillard, Villiere, Woki Cons: Le Garrec 3 Pens: Segonds, Le Garrec Advertisement New Zealand delivered an underwhelming performance in Dunedin to narrowly beat France for the first time since 2018. The All Blacks led 21-13 at the break, and despite a depleted French side moving within a point shortly after the restart, the hosts were able to see out the game following a late penalty from Beauden Barrett. Played under a roof at the Forsyth-Barr stadium, New Zealand faced a French XV that only featured three players from their final match of this year's Six Nations. Will Jordan scored a try in each half for the All Blacks, with Scott Barrett and Tupou Vaa'i also going over as Beauden Barrett kicked four conversions. Advertisement In reply, Mickael Guillard, Gabin Villiere and Cameron Woki all scored for France but they were unable to overturn the deficit. There was drama right from the off as Sevu Reece was knocked unconscious less than a minute in when the New Zealand winger clattered into a French hip. Damian McKenzie replaced him and Jordan moved to the right flank. France soon established a 10-0 lead as Joris Segonds kicked a penalty before Guillard crossed by the right post. The home side responded as a Jordie Barrett try was denied by a knock-on but minutes later his brothers Scott and Beauden combined to send Jordan over in the right corner. Advertisement McKenzie kept up the momentum for the hosts, shrugging off four opponents before Vaa'i barged over to put the All Blacks four points up. The Barrett brothers struck again on the stroke of half-time, as Jordie was able to touch down. That eight-point lead disappeared soon after the break, as Segonds spread the ball wide to Villiere who jogged through a hole in the All Blacks' line to score. And although New Zealand responded with Jordan's second try of the match, Woki came off the bench for the tourists to score his try and set up a nervy finish. That pressure was eased slightly when Villiere was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. Advertisement Billy Proctor and Jordan both had tries disallowed by the TMO but Beauden Barrett was able to settle the game with his boot six minutes from time. The second test of the three-match series takes place in Wellington on 12 July.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sluggish New Zealand overcome depleted France
First Test: New Zealand v FranceNew Zealand (21) 31Tries: Jordan 2, Vaai'i, Cons: 4 Pens: France (13) 27Tries: Guillard, Villiere, Woki Cons: Le Garrec 3 Pens: Segonds, Le Garrec New Zealand delivered an underwhelming performance in Dunedin to narrowly beat France for the first time since All Blacks led 21-13 at the break, and despite a depleted French side moving within a point shortly after the restart, the hosts were able to see out the game following a late penalty from Beauden under a roof at the Forsyth-Barr stadium, New Zealand faced a French XV that only featured three players from their final match of this year's Six Jordan scored a try in each half for the All Blacks, with Scott Barrett and Tupou Vaa'i also going over as Beauden Barrett kicked four reply, Mickael Guillard, Gabin Villiere and Cameron Woki all scored for France but they were unable to overturn the deficit. There was drama right from the off as Sevu Reece was knocked unconscious less than a minute in when the New Zealand winger clattered into a French hip. Damian McKenzie replaced him and Jordan moved to the right soon established a 10-0 lead as Joris Segonds kicked a penalty before Guillard crossed by the right home side responded as a Jordie Barrett try was denied by a knock-on but minutes later his brothers Scott and Beauden combined to send Jordan over in the right kept up the momentum for the hosts, shrugging off four opponents before Vaa'i barged over to put the All Blacks four points Barrett brothers struck again on the stroke of half-time, as Jordie was able to touch eight-point lead disappeared soon after the break, as Segonds spread the ball wide to Villiere who jogged through a hole in the All Blacks' line to although New Zealand responded with Jordan's second try of the match, Woki came off the bench for the tourists to score his try and set up a nervy pressure was eased slightly when Villiere was shown a yellow card for a deliberate Proctor and Jordan both had tries disallowed by the TMO but Beauden Barrett was able to settle the game with his boot six minutes from second test of the three-match series takes place in Wellington on 12 July.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Zealand survive 'hell of a Test' against inexperienced France
New Zealand's Will Jordan scores a try during the first international rugby Test match between New Zealand and France at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin (Sanka Vidanagama) All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson conceded his team had been in "a hell of a Test match" after edging past an under-strength France 31-27 in Dunedin. Will Jordan scored two tries to secure a tense 500th Test victory for New Zealand, who desperately held off an energetic France side fielding eight debutants in the dying minutes to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Advertisement "Test footy," explained Robertson about how a France squad that had been derided in New Zealand as a "B-team" almost caused a monumental upset. "Any French team that's on tour that's written off... it's going to put up a scrap and fight for everything," he said. "(France) didn't go away. It was a hell of a Test match." Of the 42 players France brought on tour to New Zealand, 20 were uncapped. The inexperience had some former players suggesting France would face a drubbing in Dunedin, and that they had disrespected the game by not bringing a stronger squad. Advertisement But right from the start, France were sharp and took the game to the All Blacks. New Zealand plans were upset in the first minute when wing Sevu Reece was dazed in a tackle and helped from the field with a head injury. It forced a reshuffle that clearly rattled the All Blacks as playmaker Damian McKenzie came off the bench to play fullback and No.15 Jordan moved to the right wing. The young French side took the lead from a penalty goal in the seventh minute and extended it to 10 points soon after when No.8 Mickael Guillard crossed next to the posts. The home side's response was swift. Jordan scored his first of the night on the end of a pinpoint Beauden Barrett cut-out pass. Advertisement Tupou Vai'i gave New Zealand the lead for the first time moments later, crashing under the posts. - French hang in - When Jordie Barrett scored a try just before half-time, diving like a slip fielder to catch a Jordan pass on the right wing before finding his feet and plopping over, it seemed like the hosts might run away with the game. But France, who had slotted another penalty, would not lie down and hit back almost immediately from the second-half kickoff. Rieko Ioane, playing on the wing for the first time in four years, bobbled the restart, allowing France good territory and Gabin Villiere scored. Advertisement All Blacks captain Scott Barrett gathered his team for an emergency pep talk having seen the lead cut to a whisker at 21-20. "I think it was words of reassurance, really, that we were creating opportunities," Barrett said. "I think in those moments you can easily slip away and potentially get frustrated. "It's certainly a mental trap that we could fall into, but I was pleased with the way the boys hung in there, and I guess the French sort of hung in there as well." Jordan scored his second of the match -- his 40th Test try -- to restore an eight-point advantage but again France wouldn't give in. Advertisement Replacement Jacobus Van Tonder broke the All Blacks line and fell just short of the posts, allowing Cameron Woki to cross off the back. France were reduced to 14 after try-scorer Villiere was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-down, but New Zealand could not capitalise on their numerical advantage. Billy Proctor and Jordan had tries disallowed for a knock-on and obstruction respectively, as the television match official drew loud boos from the capacity crowd. A Beauden Barrett penalty extended the lead to 31-27 with six minutes remaining but France immediately gained territory as they searched for the winning try with the clock ticking down. A knock-on with 90 seconds remaining allowed the All Blacks to regain precious possession and they hung on to secure a hard-fought victory. bes/dh
