Will Jordan scores a try. Photo: Marty Melville / www.photosport.nz
The All Blacks have survived a scare to beat France 31-27 in the opening test of the three-match series in Dunedin, snapping a three-game losing streak against their rivals.
Boasting eight debutants, the French opened the scoring with a penalty goal, before a backline break enabled forward Mickaël Guillard to barge over from close range for a 10-0 lead.
The All Blacks then hit back through a well-worked try to fullback Will Jordan, who moved to the wing, when Damian McKenzie came on to replace Sevu Reece, who left the field with concussion in the opening minute.
Blindside Tupou Vaa'i was the next to score, as the All Blacks took a 14-10 lead, and while France kicked a penalty goal to close the gap to one point, Jordie Barrett scored a converted try on the stroke of halftime to give the hosts a 21-13 lead at the break.
Will Jordan celebrates his try with Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett. Photo: Marty Melville / www.photosport.nz
Any thoughts that the French might lie down in the second half were soon dispelled, as the tourists capitalised on an All Blacks error from the kickoff to score a few phases later and reduce the All Blacks lead to 21-20.
The back-and-forth nature of the match continued, with Jordan bagging his second try for the All Blacks to put them 28-20 ahead, before the French hit back through replacement Cameron Woki to make it a one-point game once more.
France had a player yellow-carded midway through the second half, but the All Blacks couldn't capitalise, with two tries disallowed while France had 14 men.
The All Blacks then extended their lead to 31-27 with a penalty goal with six minutes to play and that's how the score remained, with the hosts hanging on to take a 1-nil series lead.
See how it all played out below:
Team lists
All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa'i, 7. Ardie Savea, 8, Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Cameron Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Samipeni Finau, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie
France: 1. Giorgi Beria, 2. Gaetan Garlot, 3. Rabah Slimani, 4. Hugo Auradou, 5. Tyler Duguid, 6. Alexandre Fischer, 7. Killian Tixeront, 8. Mickael Guillard, 9. Nolann Le Garrec, 10. Joris Segonds, 11. Gabin Villiere, 12. Gaël Fickou (c), 13. Emilien Gailleton, 14. Tom Spring, 15. Theo Attissogbe
Bench: 16. Pierre Bourgarit, 17. Paul Mallez, 18. Regis Montagne, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Cameron Woki, 21. Jacobus van Tonder, 22. Baptiste Jauneau, 23. Antoine Hastoy
