LIVE: The All Blacks have taken a 17-10 lead over France into half-time at Stade de France
The two teams delivered an epic opener to the Rugby World Cup 2023 tournament, with another expected after the Kiwis took down number one Ireland.
Watch every game of the Wallabies Spring Tour live and exclusive on Stan Sport.
Scott Robertson’s side welcome back stars Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett for the crucial clash.
As for France, they are fresh off a thumping win over Japan to kick off their end-of-year tour.
The French took the 27-13 win in their last encounter and will be hoping to repeat their heroics as they look to close the gap on the top three.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION FROM 7:05 AM IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTRE
HALF TIME: ALL BLACKS 17 - 10 FRANCE
40': Beauden Barrett tries an ambitious drop goal that sails away to the left as both teams head up the tunnel for the break
36': ALL BLACKS TRY: Beauden Barrett adds three after some strong carries from Caleb Clarke on the edge All Blacks 17-10
32': FRANCE TRY: A huge try for the hosts as fullback Romain Buros find himself in space close to the line, carrying a defender over the line for the five pointer All Blacks 14-10
27': ALL BLACKS TRY: Just like that, the Kiwis strike via some daylight robbery from Cam Roigard! The scrumhalf intercepts Gregory Alldritt in close from a scrum 22 metres out, racing away for the try All Blacks 14-3
25': All Blacks dominating possession and territory yet the French are hanging in the contest as the lead remains 7-3
18': France keeps finding themselves under pressure as Sevu Reece's intercept forces another desperate scramble, followed up by a Tamaiti Williams break that the French instantly turns over.
17': Thomas Ramos delivers a booming clearing kick well inside his half that sits up an inch before the in-goal line, with great pressure from Antoine Dupont forcing the drop-out
14': Kiwis with all the running early as they work back into the 22 and force France to come up with the turnover at ruck time
10': France given a chance to hit straight back as they force the penalty at the ruck, only for the Kiwis to shutdown the rolling maul and clear their line
9': ALL BLACKS TRY: Peter Lakai makes good use of his early substitution as Ardie Savea twice breaks the line down the wing, before handing it back to his former Hurricanes teammate for the try All Blacks 7-3
7: FRANCE PENALTY GOAL: Thomas Ramos launches a bomb from halfway and nails it easily. France 3-0
5': Neither side able to handle the ball early as France get a scrum penalty on halfway
2': Fierce start from the French but they drop it ten metres out as both sides are left with wounded players on the ground in Samipeni Finau and Tevita Tatafu. Finau comes from the field for Peter Lakai
KICK OFF: Good morning and welcome to Rugby.com.au's blog of one of the biggest games of the year as New Zealand face France. The All Blacks are donning their white jerseys as they look to continue their unbeaten run for their end-of-season tour whilst the French are looking to draw off a strong crowd at the Stade de France
Tries: Buros
Cons: Ramos 1/1
Pens: Ramos 1/1
Tries: Lakai, Roigard
Cons: B. Barrett 2/2
Pens: B. Barrett 1/1
France: 15 Romain Buros, 14 Gabin Villiere, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Alexandre Roumat, 6 Paul Boudehent, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Tevita Tatafu, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Mickael Guillard, 21 Charles Ollivon, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton.
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevy Reece, 13 Reiko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyral Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
The All Blacks' clash with France will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 6:00 am with kickoff expected at 7:10 am.
