The All Blacks exploded out of the gate, scoring three tries before the 30‑minute mark. Early pressure from the New Zealand backs forced turnovers, and a crisp pass from the fly‑half set up a breakthrough try that put the home crowd on its feet. Within minutes, the midfield surged forward, ripping through the French defense with a series of quick off‑loads that resulted in a second try.
By halftime, New Zealand led 21‑3, a gap that reflected both their relentless attack and a defensive lapse from the French side. The French tries came only after a defensive scramble, highlighting the All Blacks' superior game management.
Standout performances came from the All Blacks' veteran scrum‑half, whose sniping runs kept the French backline guessing. The young winger also shone, finishing two of the first‑half tries with pace that left the French full‑back chasing shadows.
Coach Ian Foster praised his squad's discipline, noting the quick recycling of ball and the low error count. On the French side, coach Fabien Galthié admitted the team hadn't adapted fast enough to the All Blacks' speed, promising adjustments for the second half.
As the teams headed into the locker rooms, the atmosphere at Eden Park was electric. Fans expected a tighter contest, yet the first half had already set a clear narrative: New Zealand's attack was firing on all cylinders, while France faced a steep climb to recover.
Prince Fajardo
September 27, 2025 AT 22:17Oh, bravo All Blacks, pulling a ‘let’s give France a first‑half tutorial’ move-because apparently the only language they speak is ‘win‑or‑watch‑us‑dominate’.
Subhashree Das
September 28, 2025 AT 20:30The breakdown numbers were an embarrassment; France couldn't secure a single clean ball, and that’s on them for not adapting to a tempo that the All Blacks set from the first whistle.
jitendra vishwakarma
September 29, 2025 AT 18:44i dunno man the nz guys were just on fire, them quick off‑loads were sick. france seemed lost, maybe they need a coffee break.
Ira Indeikina
September 30, 2025 AT 16:57What we witnessed is not merely a sporting contest but a manifestation of collective intent, where the All Blacks translated communal will into kinetic poetry-an unsettling reminder to any opponent who dares underestimate unity.
Shashikiran R
October 1, 2025 AT 15:10It's clear that the french team forsook the honourable spirit of the game, opting for shortcuts in the breakdown-something that should be condemned by any true lover of rugby.
SURAJ ASHISH
October 2, 2025 AT 13:24i guess nz just had a better day, nothing more impressive than a few early scores, quite average.
PARVINDER DHILLON
October 3, 2025 AT 11:37What a spectacular start! 🌟 The All Blacks showed brilliance, but credit to France for keeping the fight alive-let's hope the second half brings a tighter battle. 🙏🏉
Nilanjan Banerjee
October 4, 2025 AT 09:50The first half at Eden Park unfurled like a meticulously choreographed opera, each movement echoing the ancestral hymns of New Zealand’s rugby heritage. The All Blacks, in a display of relentless verve, executed a high‑tempo barrage that left the French defensive line gasping for breath. From the opening whistle, the half‑back’s sniping runs carved pathways through the opponent’s flank as if tracing invisible ley lines of dominance. The wing’s speed, a blur of kinetic energy, culminated in two tries that were as much a testament to raw athleticism as to strategic foresight. Conversely, the French side appeared shackled by an inertia that the All Blacks exploited with surgical precision. Their breakdowns, plagued by a paucity of support, resembled a house of cards teetering under a gentle gust. The French coaches’ delayed tactical shift manifested in a scramble for possession that only yielded a solitary, beleaguered score before the intermission. Moreover, the front‑row dominance of New Zealand ensured clean set‑piece ball, further amplifying the disparities between the two squads. The statistical chasm-21‑3 at the break-transcended mere numbers, symbolising a psychological gulf that the French will need to bridge. Yet, the narrative of rugby is never static; the immutable law of sport demands adaptation and resilience. Should France recalibrate its breakdown efficiency and broaden its attacking channels, the second half could yet metamorphose into a contest of parity. The audience, electrified by this early spectacle, now braces for a potential resurgence from the beleaguered visitors. In the grand tapestry of the Lipovitan‑D Series, this half‑hour will be recalled as the moment the All Blacks asserted artistic supremacy. Critics may decry the one‑sidedness, but aficionados recognize the beauty inherent in a flawless execution of a high‑octane game plan. As the teams retreat to the locker rooms, the silent promise lingers: the second half will either cement a legend or ignite a fervent comeback.
sri surahno
October 5, 2025 AT 08:04One must consider that the abrupt change in New Zealand’s tempo may have been pre‑planned, perhaps influenced by undisclosed analytics that the French were never privy to, raising questions about the transparency of modern rugby strategies.
Varun Kumar
October 6, 2025 AT 06:17France simply got outpaced.
Madhu Murthi
October 7, 2025 AT 04:30Honestly, watching the All Blacks dominate like this makes any true Kiwi proud 🇳🇿-the French need to step up their game or accept they're outclassed. 😤🏉
Amrinder Kahlon
October 8, 2025 AT 02:44Guess the French forgot to bring their A‑game, and the All Blacks were just too busy having fun out there.
Abhay patil
October 9, 2025 AT 00:57Great analysis lets keep that energy up and hope the second half brings fresh fire and determination from both sides