First-ever Test tries to Du’Plessis Kirifi and Brodie McAlister, and two huge moments of class from All Blacks legends Jordie Barrett and Ardie Savea, guided the hosts to an unimpressive 29-19 win over a determined French team in Hamilton.

France led until the hour mark and held up the All Blacks over their tryline four times before the hosts’ strength in depth took over and they completed a 3-0 series sweep.

“Big time players needed to stand up. The experience of some of these key players – attitude, and the mental hardness,” said All Blacks great Mils  Muliaina.

“It wasn’t pretty at times. The French, they were resistant, they were hard, they were hearty.”

Jordie Barrett proved the difference down the stretch at both ends of the field. He was supposed to be missing this game but was a late call-up after an injury to Rieko Ioane.

Both teams rang the changes for the clash in Hamilton, and the All Blacks’ cohesion took a further blow when they lost Luke Jacobson in the warm-up. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Kirifi, with Christian Lio-Willie coming onto the bench.

France, who were unlucky to lose the opening Test before being swept aside last week in game two, started the brighter after staring down the Ardie Savea-led haka.

The game opened with four minutes without a stoppage, play brought to a pause via a Ruben Love error. Five minutes later, the visitors made the most of two penalties to work a chance near the All Blacks’ line, and the French scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec darted over, converting the try himself.

With the French fans the more vocal in a sell-out crowd, they went further ahead on 19 minutes. An audacious chip ahead inside his 22 by Ardie Savea didn’t come off and Anton Leinert-Brown conceded a penalty, knocked over by Le Garrec.

The 10-lead was a fair reflection of France’s dominance in the first quarter of the game, but the All Blacks’ cheat code Will Jordan did what he does best and produced a try a couple of minutes later.

All Blacks No.9 Cortez Ratima saw the French defending in a line and clipped a left-footed chip in behind their line. Jordan had the wheels to beat desperate cover to the ball and cross for a 42nd Test try.

The All Blacks were having issues with their handling, and after another error, France No.10 Antoine Hastoy knocked over a drop goal.

The All Blacks charged back but France’s defence was resolute. Samipeni Finau powered over the line but was held up by Nicolas Depoortere.

Jordan almost added a second but Damian McKenzie’s kick in behind beat everyone, crossing the touch in goal.

Damian McKenzie of New Zealand charges forward during the Test Match between New Zealand All Blacks and France at FMG Stadium Waikato on July 19, 2025 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

DMac took three from a penalty in front, but France responded with two penalties of their own, sparking a Scott Robertson F-bomb and a 19-10 lead.

Ninety seconds before the break, the All Blacks had a lineout five metres out and once again they met fierce French resistance.

Ardie Savea of New Zealand reacts during the Test Match between New Zealand All Blacks and France at FMG Stadium Waikato on July 19, 2025 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Ethan De Groot was adjudged to have been held up. He thought Angus Gardner’s call was “f–king bulls–t” and it looked to have been a costly one for the hosts.

However, France were unable to resist a final flourish, that came 2 minutes, 42 seconds after the siren, on a 17th phase, as Leinert-Brown stepped off his right foot and slid over through desperate defence.

France were better than their 19-17 lead at the break, but they missed two chances early in the second to extend their lead. Hastoy missed with a drop goal attempt, getting heckled by the crowd, and Le Garrec, who had four from four in the opening half, pushed a shot from wide on the left across the face.

The All Blacks made them pay, with a fortunate first Test try to Kirifi on 59 minutes. France fullback Leo Barre got to it first but before he could control the ball was robbed behind his own line by Sevu Reece. The ball rolled back and Kirifi had an easy finish.

Du’Plessis Kirifi of New Zealand reacts during the Test Match between New Zealand All Blacks and France at FMG Stadium Waikato on July 19, 2025 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

France came flying back but the All Blacks had two of their greats to thank for keeping their lead intact.

Jordie Barrett, fresh off the bench, flew across to chop down Depoortere a metre out. The All Blacks’ lineout started to disintegrate with the arrival of Brodie McAlister on debut, and France got another chance straight away, only for Ardie Savea to come up with a penalty win on his own line.

It was a significant moment, and the All Blacks were able to close it out, despite Dalton Papali’i becoming the third player held up with 10 to play.

McAlister added some gloss with a couple of minutes to play, sliding over for a special end to his debut.