To France, respect. Understrength and slammed for sending a B-team down under, Fabien Galthie’s young legion ran the All Blacks desperately close in a magnificent, thrilling first Test in Dunedin.

The hosts won 31-27, scoring four tries to three against a team that kicked off as 8-1 outsiders but they were made to fight every inch of the way.

The French had eight debutants and came into the match having received an almighty slap from All Blacks legend Justin Marshall, who fired up midweek about Galthie’s inexperienced touring party.

“In my mind, it’s complete BS the way that they’re treating this tour, the way that the French always seem to have come up with excuses to not bring their top players, I feel they disrespect the international window,” Marshall fumed on The Breakdown.

Afterwards, Marshall sang a different tune. “It was physical, it had some real skill and it was thoroughly entertaining,” he said.

France lock Tyler Duguid summed up the freshness of the France team with his wide eyed response to the pre-game haka.

“It was otherworldly,” he said. “I’ve never experienced something like that in my life and I love it, it was great.

“There was a lot of outside noise saying that, you know, we’d come out, we’d take 50, we don’t have the strength to play against a team like that, but I thought we showed a lot of spirit tonight as a side and we can really look after those next two games.”

All Blacks great Kieran Read said the French team “showed up with heart and character and maybe not the prettiest the way they played the game, but they hung in there, stayed in the fight.

“The All Blacks showed it was their first Test and didn’t click quite enough.”

Former All Black Mils Muliaina said the All Blacks got what they needed most, despite a clunky display where they were overpowered in the aerial battles.

“The big thing is the W. You come out of that and all the expectation was the All Blacks would play a different style and put a lot of points on them, and they didn’t,” he said.

“They fought right to the bitter end. For the All Blacks, they’ll be pretty relieved. There were a few opportunities but while they were frustrated they were able to get a win to build on for next week. Different story if there wasn’t a W.”

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson during the International Test match between New Zealand All Blacks and France at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 05, 2025 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The game was less than a minute old when Scott Robertson’s side suffered their first setback, Sevu Reece knocked out of this game and the second Test when his head crashed into flyhalf Joris Segonds, leading to the arrival of Damian McKenzie.

Jordie Barrett of New Zealand scores a try during the International Test match between New Zealand All Blacks and France at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 05, 2025 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The All Blacks wobbled like Reece, as France led 10-0, Segonds landing a long-range penalty and then Mickael Guillard crossing for the opening try on 17 minutes after McKenzie had one ruled out for a knock on in the build up.

Normal service was restored as Beauden Barrett began to run the show, setting up Will Jordan for the first of his two tries with a looping flighted pass, then sparking a third try right on halftime with a deft tip pass that ended up with a special finish from brother Jordie.

At 21-13 at the break, most expected the All Blacks to put their foot down and roar away. Instead, France started the second half as the first.

There was an All Blacks error from the kickoff and 16 phases later Gabin Villiere finished off the French attack with an audacious swan dive.

The All Blacks fired back through a Cam Roigard, Villiere coming up with huge cover defence to force a turnover. From the lineout the hosts came again and after a patient buildup Beauden Barrett set it on a plate for Jordan’s second.

At 28-20, France made five changes – although six players ran on and referee Nic Berry had to send one off.

One of the replacements, the giant Cameron Woki, drove over from close range and it was back to a one point game.

France coach Fabien Galthie during the International Test match between New Zealand All Blacks and France at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 05, 2025 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Berry gave the All Blacks some respite when he sent Villiere to the sin bin for a deliberate knock on. It’s probably more an indictment of the law than Berry, but the law is an ass.

The All Blacks went over twice in Villiere’s absence – but both were ruled out by TMO and thankfully the pedantic call didn’t decide the game.

France pressed for a famous win but Barrett had the final say with a penalty capping the win.