Sluggish New Zealand Overcome Depleted France

First Test: New Zealand v France

New Zealand (21) 31

Tries: Jordan 2, Vaai'i, S.Barrett Cons: B.Barrett 4 Pens: B.Barrett

France (13) 27

Tries: Guillard, Villiere, Woki Cons: Le Garrec 3 Pens: Segonds, Le Garrec

New Zealand delivered an underwhelming capacity successful Dunedin to narrowly hit France for nan first clip since 2018.

The All Blacks led 21-13 astatine nan break, and contempt a depleted French broadside moving wrong a constituent soon aft nan restart, nan hosts were capable to spot retired nan crippled pursuing a precocious punishment from Beauden Barrett.

Played nether a tile astatine nan Forsyth-Barr stadium, New Zealand faced a French XV that only featured 3 players from their last lucifer of this year's Six Nations.

Will Jordan scored a effort successful each half for nan All Blacks, pinch Scott Barrett and Tupou Vaa'i besides going complete arsenic Beauden Barrett kicked 4 conversions.

In reply, Mickael Guillard, Gabin Villiere and Cameron Woki each scored for France but they were incapable to overturn nan deficit.

There was play correct from nan disconnected arsenic Sevu Reece was knocked unconscious little than a infinitesimal successful erstwhile nan New Zealand winger clattered into a French hip. Damian McKenzie replaced him and Jordan moved to nan correct flank.

France soon established a 10-0 lead arsenic Joris Segonds kicked a punishment earlier Guillard crossed by nan correct post.

The location broadside responded arsenic a Jordie Barrett effort was denied by a knock-on but minutes later his brothers Scott and Beauden mixed to nonstop Jordan complete successful nan correct corner.

McKenzie kept up nan momentum for nan hosts, shrugging disconnected 4 opponents earlier Vaa'i barged complete to put nan All Blacks 4 points up.

The Barrett brothers struck again connected nan changeable of half-time, arsenic Jordie was capable to touch down.

That eight-point lead vanished soon aft nan break, arsenic Segonds dispersed nan shot wide to Villiere who jogged done a spread successful nan All Blacks' statement to score.

And though New Zealand responded pinch Jordan's 2nd effort of nan match, Woki came disconnected nan chair for nan visitors to people his effort and group up a nervy finish.

That unit was eased somewhat erstwhile Villiere was shown a yellowish paper for a deliberate knock-on.

Billy Proctor and Jordan some had tries disallowed by nan TMO but Beauden Barrett was capable to settee nan crippled pinch his footwear six minutes from time.

The 2nd trial of nan three-match bid takes spot successful Wellington connected 12 July.