All Blacks v France result: Dave Rennie era begins with nail-biting win in Christchurch

All Blacks 34 France 32

By Liam Napier in Christchurch

More clunky than clinical but Dave Rennie’s All Blacks tenure starts on a positive note.

The ‘you got this’ message emblazoned on trams throughout Christchurch eventually rang true but the All Blacks were forced to overcome scares and many scratchy moments before subduing a heavily weakened France.

In a typically rusty first test of the year, with Rennie assuming charge and having 10 days, six trainings, to prepare his maiden national squad, the All Blacks notched their first win in Christchurch in a decade and, with it, got on the board in the new Nations Championship.

Tick, tick, tick.

In a match that featured six lead changes, the All Blacks had to work hard for their points in pristine conditions under the roof.

France, despite missing eight Top 14 finalists, were highly competitive to illustrate the vast depth their competition boasts. French centre Fabien Brau-Boirie had a second-half try eventually ruled out for an earlier knock on. Had France finished that and other opportunities, they could well have pulled off a major upset. Indeed, it was that close.

After both sides traded blows throughout, Will Jordan appeared to put the result beyond doubt when he latched onto Luke Jacobson’s offload to claim his brace and hand the All Blacks a nine-point lead.

The tenacious French kept coming, though, with Matthieu Jalibert crossing to close within two points and spark a tense, nervous climax.

The All Blacks held their nerve to close the game out. While they deserved their victory, with Ruben Love booting the ball into the stands, this was much more starting point than statement.

Defensively, the All Blacks were loose at times. Their option taking, particularly their kicking, wasn’t always accurate. Their issues attempting to defuse high balls are yet to be solved – and, just like last year, their third quarter was again problematic.

When the All Blacks review this tape, game management and awareness will be a focal point for improvement.

Crucially, though, the signs are there that the Rennie era has a clearly defined vision.

In the scheme of what’s to come this year, handing Xavier Numia, Jamie Hannah and Fehi Fineanganofo test debuts is another positive outcome.

While a lack of cohesion was widely evident from the All Blacks, with many dropped balls and wayward passes thrown, the intent to attack, seek space and chase the width was clear.

The desire to largely keep the ball in hand - the All Blacks kicked just six times in the first half - and play at pace brought rewards but they often couldn’t make the opportunities stick.

Man of the match Cam Roigard seized his opportunities to strike from the base.

Peter Lakai finished the best of the All Blacks’ three first-half tries after a slick interchange of superb handling from Quinn Tupaea and Caleb Clarke.

Ruben Love, in his first test start at first five-eighth, swiftly recovered from his early yellow card to largely carry his confidence from guiding the Hurricanes to the Super Rugby title. Love picked his moments but when he put the foot down and backed himself, he scythed through the French defence.

Without four senior locks – Fabian Holland, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i and Patrick Tuipulotu - the All Blacks’ second row depth was seriously tested. In their absence, Sam Darry shone with the best performance of his budding test career.

Lakai delivered another compelling performance, too, with his ball carrying prominent before he made way for Wallace Sititi midway through the second half.

The All Blacks could not have endured a worse start after conceding a soft Damian Penaud try and Love copping a yellow card for a high shot.

Such a double early setback – after also losing Tuipulotu to a pre-match calf injury which promoted rookie lock Hannah to the bench – could have rattled the All Blacks but they instead settled into their work and immediately responded.

Ardie Savea, assuming the permanent captaincy, signalled his intent by turning down multiple shots at goal until late in the second half when the All Blacks held a one-point buffer. Savea also attacked the breakdown with vigor all evening.

The desire to be brutal cost the All Blacks with three overzealous high tackles handing France penalties – and ruck defence was also exposed at times.

Starting points aren’t supposed to be perfect.

Rennie’s All Blacks will get better from here. And they will have to be.

All Blacks 34 (Will Jordan 2, Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard 2 tries; Ruben Love 3 cons, pen)

France 32 (Damian Penaud, Antoine Hastoy, Théo Attissogbé, Matthieu Jalibert tries; Maxime Lucu 3 cons, 2 pens)

HT: 19-13

Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.