All Blacks arrive in Christchurch as countdown begins for clash against France

Sunday, 28 June 2026

The All Blacks arrived at Christchurch Airport on Sunday.

The All Blacks have touched down in Ōtautahi ahead of their sold-out test match against France at One NZ Stadium next weekend.

The team arrived in Christchurch on Sunday afternoon and was welcomed by kapa haka group Pounamu Ngāi Tahu, which performed in front of a crowd of fans at Christchurch International Airport.

Fans arrive at the airport to welcome the team to Christchurch.

Next weekend’s clash will be the first test the All Blacks have played at Christchurch’s new stadium, and the first in the city since 2022.

Before that, the last home test in Christchurch was in 2016.

Left, 5000 temporary seats being installed on Friday at One New Zealand Stadium ahead of the All Blacks' Test match against France.

Tickets were snapped up within hours when they went on sale in March, with the stadium’s 30,000-seat capacity expected to be filled.

Temporary seating for up to 5000 people was being installed on Friday in preparation for the clash.

Kapa haka group Pounamu Ngāi Tahu welcomed the All Blacks at Christchurch International Airport.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said the team was excited to play in guaranteed dry conditions under One NZ Stadium’s roof.

“Huge amount of excitement down here, and we're ready to be here.

“We’ve got a massive amount of history here. We got a lot of Crusader boys who are excited to be back home playing test rugby in front of their family and friends in a stadium that sold out so quickly.”

The team will take on France at One NZ Stadium on Saturday - their first test match at the venue.

One of those “Crusader boys“ is All Blacks hooker Cody Taylor.

He said One NZ Stadium was a “special place”.

Samipeni Finau at the 3rd Test of the Lipovitan-D Series v France at FMG Stadium, Hamilton, in July last year.

“I can only imagine for an All Blacks test it's going to be even better. Full house and plenty of noise … really looking forward to it.”

The All Blacks have had a chequered history against the French. While the lion’s share of wins has gone New Zealand’s way, there have been tight contests and painful losses over the years.

New Zealand beat France by a single point in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, after a successful penalty kick by All Black Stephen Donald.

However, in the opening match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the French dominated, beating New Zealand 27-13.

Taylor said he expected France to bring the “flair” they are known for.

“Their ability to play from anywhere, and attack, and put you under pressure has always been there, so I imagine that they'll be coming over here pretty confident.

“Even though we had a good series last year, it’s still going to be a tough battle. It's a test match, so it's always tough.”

On Thursday evening, Ngāti Waewae representatives Lisa and Francois Tumahai passed the sacred Te Whatu mauri stone to the new All Blacks team ahead of their arrival to Ōtautahi.

The taonga will accompany the All Blacks and carry the connection to Ngāi Tahu whānui and the whenua (land) everywhere they travel, a Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu spokesperson said.

Ngāi Tahu gifted the stone to the All Blacks in 2015 before they travelled to England for the Rugby World Cup where they retained their title by beating Australia in the final.

They lost that title in 2019, finishing third after being beaten by England in the semifinal, before South Africa won the tournament.

The All Blacks reached the final again in 2023, but were beaten by South Africa.