All Blacks player ratings vs France | Nations Championship 2026

1. Ethan de Groot – 6.5/10

After a strong Super Rugby Pacific campaign, de Groot’s first touch was a scintillating out-the-back pass in midfield. Was penalised for a seatbelt high tackle, giving France the opportunity to extend their lead. Strong scrum against Demba Bamba to earn a penalty.

2. Codie Taylor – 7

The 107-Test veteran showed that despite not having his strongest Super Rugby Pacific season, he’s still a valuable member of the All Blacks forward pack. One miss at lineout time in the first half, but carried dominantly and was abrasive. Eight carries and six tackles in the first half, before adding two to each in his 25-minute second-half stint.

Off at 65.

3. Fletcher Newell – 7

Off at 53 with 13 tackles, only bettered by Sam Darry while he was on the paddock.

4. Josh Lord – 5

Workmanlike first half, where Lord was aggressively throwing himself into contact on both sides of the ball. Didn’t get involved much during the early stages of the second, as Darry grabbed the headlines. Left the field for Hannah in the 68th minute, with ten tackles and four carries.

5. Sam Darry – 8

Massive shift. There’s no denying the All Blacks are missing crucial pieces of the puzzle in the second row, but Rennie will be extremely pleased with Darry’s work.

Lineout was close to seamless under his guidance, and the Blues lock, in his hometown of Christchurch, led the game in tackles with Luke Jacobson, adding 21.

6. Peter Lakai – 7

In a different number jumper than usual, Lakai continued his Super Rugby form. Lakai shifted the ball to Caleb Clarke early, before finding his way to a superb support line to dot down under the posts. Surprisingly, Lakai was taken off in the 53rd minute for Wallace Sititi, with not much impact in the second half, but overall, a strong showing from the Super Rugby Pacific champion.

7. Luke Jacobson – 7.5

Tale of two halves. An error-ridden first 40 minutes, but was superb in the second half. Two strong hits early defensively, prior to him having a go at a tenth-minute breakdown. Judged to not be in a position to jackal the ball, resulting in him being penalised by English referee Luke Pearce. 

The All Blacks then looked to be in a dangerous counter-attacking position, before Jacobson’s pass was slightly ahead of Caleb Clarke. Pinged once more before the break, for not rolling away after a nice shot in midfield.

Fantastic adjustment in the second half, dominating French attackers in the contact area, and fending off one to provide Jordan with his second five-pointer of the evening. Finished his 80-minute shift having made 21-tackles, only missing one.

8. Ardie Savea – 8

Influential as ever in his first Test as the official All Blacks captain. Won a momentum-switching breakdown turnover after Love was sent to the bin. 

Finished with an All Black high 13 carries, and sixteen tackles.

9. Cam Roigard – 9

One of the most in-form players in the World. Rennie gave him the licence to play what’s in front of him, and that’s exactly what he did. Although the two tries were different, they were cut from the same cloth, as the Hurricanes halfback was at the right place at the right time. The first one, on the stroke of halftime, fell into the hands of the All Blacks No.9 as he darted under the posts.

The second was brilliant support play where Jordie Barrett was able to free his left arm and find his club teammate. Off to a standing ovation with minutes to play.

10. Ruben Love – 7

His best moment of the first half was when he accessed the situation in his own half, taking on the French defence with a left foot step. Love beat one defender, kickstarting a scoring opportunity with an offload to Lord.

Quieter second half, but a definite pass-mark heading into a Test in Wellington next week.

11. Caleb Clarke – 6.5

Some nice contributions, highlighted by his nice draw and pass for Lakai for the All Blacks’ first try of 2026. Didn’t get an opportunity in open space apart from the try, but tried to get involved in and around the field, taking multiple pick-and-go’s. Replaced by Fehi Fineanganofo with twelve minutes to play.

12. Jordie Barrett – 6.5

13. Quinn Tupaea – 6

 The Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year carried directly early, but missed two crucial tackles during the first half that gave France some important momentum. Aggressive as usual with ball in hand, but couldn’t find a line break as often as he did during the 2026 domestic season. 

Slightly more influential second-half stint, before making way for Billy Proctor in the 60th minute.

14. Will Jordan – 8

15. Damian McKenzie – 7

After being labelled one of “the two best fullbacks in the world” alongside Jordan by Rennie during the week, McKenzie had a strong showing at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch. Not perfect, but the livewire playmaker played his part in the narrow victory.

Couple of long kicks in the second-half that earned possession back for the All Blacks and helped Rennie’s side get over the line in Christchurch.

Player Carries

1

Tom Staniforth

14

2

Ardie Savea

13

3

Matthieu Jalibert

12

Substitutes

16. Asafo Aumua – 5

 Aumua’s 21st All Blacks Test began in the 65th minute, but the strong hooker didn’t add much impact.

17. Xavier Numia – 6

 The bulldozing Hurricanes prop entered the contest in the 53rd minute and added subtle impact. His side of the scrum was going forward on multiple occasions.

18. Tyrel Lomax – 5

Playing in his 49th Test, Lomax was thrown into the game at the 53-minute mark, dropping one ball cold, before getting the ball ripped in one of his first carries.

19. Jamie Hannah – 5

Hannah, a late inclusion due to Patrick Tuipulotu’s tight calf, gave the ball away with his first touch as he tried to find a teammate with an offload.

20. Wallace Sititi – 6

Looked busy in his 27-minute stint, but couldn’t directly impact the game other than a few carries.

21. Cortez Ratima – N/A

22. Billy Proctor – 6

Came on with 20 minutes to play, and didn’t find a way to influence the game. Could get a starting opportunity next week against Italy.

23. Fehi Fineanganofo – 6

Some exciting moments on the left edge in his short stint.