New Zealand vs France Preview & Prediction | 2026 Nations Championship | Round 1
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The maiden edition of the Nations Championship begins with a heavyweight contest between New Zealand and France in Christchurch.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – RugbyPass TV
New Zealand team news: Fehi Fineanganofo benched but could make All Blacks debut
Squad: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard; 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Josh Lord, 5 Sam Darry, 6 Peter Lakai, 7 Luke Jacobson, 8 Ardie Savea
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Billy Proctor, 23 Fehi Fineanganofo
France team news: Injury keeps Dupont out
Squad: 15 Max Spring, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Fabien Brau-Boirie, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Theo Attissogbe, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu; 1 Jefferson Poirot, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 3 Demba Bamba, 4 Hugo Auradou, 5 Tom Staniforth, 6 Pierre Bochaton, 7 Oscar Jegou, 8 Marko Gazzotti
Replacements: 16 Barnabe Massa, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Mickael Guillard, 20 Killian Tixeront, 21 Nolann Le Garrec, 22 Antoine Hastoy, 23 Nicolas Depoortere
New Zealand vs France prediction
The inaugural Nations Championship begins in Christchurch for what is a mouth-watering contest between two of the best sides from each hemisphere.
Despite missing the influential Antoine Dupont, France have reason to be optimistic that they can register a first victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand since 1995.
Les Bleus come into this having won a thrilling Six Nations Championship earlier this year, pipping Ireland to the post with a dramatic 48-46 triumph over England on the final weekend of action.
New Zealand, meanwhile, haven't been in action since the Autumn Nations Series last November, during which they won three of their four games.
The All Blacks were much-improved in general last year, only losing to world champions South Africa on points difference in the Rugby Championship, while they also won all three contests with France in July.
History is not on France's side here but they do possess plenty of talent capable of hurting the All Blacks. Both nations will be eager to get off to a strong start in this new tournament, so we can see this being a fairly high-scoring match, regardless of who comes out on top.
New Zealand vs France tip: Over 60.5 points
