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The All Blacks were made to sweat in their 2025 season opener before edging a determined and understrength France side 31-27 in Dunedin to take a 1-0 series lead.
Much of the build-up to the series opener was dominated by France's decision to send an inexperienced team to New Zealand, but the Les Bleus rookies rose to the occasion and put up a mighty fight.
Ultimately, a Beauden Barrett penalty in the final 10 minutes of the match sealed the result for the All Blacks, with the veteran pivot knocking over all five of his kicks at goal.
Jordie Barrett looked to have scored the opening try of the match when the midfielder slid over the line after a marvellous attacking play, but the All Blacks were denied as prop Fletcher Newell was judged to have knocked on the ball in the build-up to the score.
From the ensuing scrum, the French struck as superb full-back Theo Attisogbe skinned Billy Proctor out wide, launching a stunning attack with Beauden Barrett making a great last-ditch tackle that seemingly denied a try. However, France recycled the ball, and powerhouse forward Mickael Guillard thundered over the line to open up a 10-point lead after 17 minutes.
That try seemingly lit the spark for the All Blacks as captain Scott Barrett charged down a kick from Nolann Le Garrec, and that turnover of possession resulted in the first try of the year for Will Jordan, who benefited from a great long ball from fly-half Beauden Barrett, who added the extras.
New Zealand really started to turn the screws in the second quarter of the first half as they dominated the French scrum, earning a penalty for their efforts and subsquently kicked to the line which led to a score for Tupou Vaa'i who powered over from close range after several powerful carries from the French pack.
However, Vaa'i conceded a silly penalty at the lineout in the 32nd minute and Le Garrec made no mistake with his kick to make it a one-point game at 14-13.
That did not last long as Jordie Barrett would have the final say of the half as Jordan went from scorer to assister to send the centre over as the hosts led 21-13 at the break.
France came out of the blocks steaming in the second half as Villiere acrobatically dived over the line after an impressive 16 phases from the French.
Villiere produced another moment of brilliance to make a try-saving tackle and turnover, but that did not last long as Jordan scored a second try from the ensuing lineout.
Fabien Galthie started to empty his bench soon afterwards, and it immediately paid dividends as debutant Jaco van Tonder made a stunning linebreak with Cameron Woki rounding off the try.
Momentum looked to have swung back into the All Blacks' favour when Jordan's offload was judged to have been knocked down by Villiere, who was subsequently yellow-carded. Robertson's side went to work from the lineout and after a long passage of attack, Proctor reached out to dot the ball over the line, but he was denied upon review from the TMO, who judged that he spilt the ball over the line.
Again, the TMO would deny the All Blacks as Jordan's hat-trick score was scratched off after Berry agreed that replacement tighthead Pasilio Tosi obstructed the French defensive line - the third time the All Blacks had been denied.
Barrett then slotted a penalty to extend the lead to four points, which ultimately sealed the narrow victory as a final attack from France ended with a knock-on.
