International rugby returns this Saturday and the first action in the newly launched Nations Championship comes from Christchurch where New Zealand clash with France.
New Zealand vs France, Saturday 4th July, Christchurch, KO 09:10 (South African time)
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (RFU), Katsuki Furuse (JRFU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
Weather Forecast - Christchurch
New Zealand:
Dave Rennie takes over as coach of the All Blacks and with Scott Barrett unavailable through injury Ardie Savea takes over as captain.
The All Blacks last action came in the November 2025 internationals. It started well as they beat Ireland (26-13) in Chicago and Scotland (25-17) at Murrayfield. NZ then crashed (33-19) to England at Twickenham before rounding off the year by thrashing Wales (52-26) in Cardiff.
New Zealand won 4 and lost 2 of their Rugby Championship matches last year, finishing as runners up to the Springboks with both teams on 19 points. A record defeat to the Boks in Wellington played a big role in Scott Robertson leaving the coaching job following the end of year review.
In July 2025 New Zealand completed a 3-0 clean sweep of a visiting French team, winning the first test 31-27, the second 43-17 and the third 29-19.
In the Nations Championship outright betting markets New Zealand can be backed at 4/1 to win the title with Hollywoodbets
Nations Championship Results and Fixtures: R1 France (h), R2 Italy (h), R3 Ireland (h), R4 Scotland (a), R5 Wales (a), R6 England (a)
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France:
France come into the Nations Series on the back of landing the Six Nations title earlier this year. They won their first 3 matches of that tournament at home to Ireland (36-14) and Italy (33-8) either side of a thrashing of Wales (54-12) in Cardiff. They then suffered a defeat in an amazing clash Scotland (50-40) at Murrayfield in the penultimate round. The final round saw them take on England in Paris and it was another thriller with France getting up at the death to win 48-46 and clinch the title.
In the North vs South November internationals in 2025 France lost at home to South Africa (32-17) before back to back wins when hosting Fiji (34-21) and Australia (48-33)
Antoine Dupont is injured and will reportedly play no part in the first 3 Nations Championship matches.
In the Nations Championship outright betting markets France can be backed at 3/1 to win the title with Hollywoodbets
Nations Championship Results and Fixtures: R1 New Zealand (a), R2 Australia (a), R3 Japan (a), R4 Fiji (h), R5 South Africa (h), R6 Argentina (h)
Recent Head to Head
July 2025 INT Hamilton New Zealand 31–27 France
July 2025 INT Wellington New Zealand 43-17 France
July 2025 INT Dunedin New Zealand 29-19 France
Nov 2024 INT Paris France 30–29 New Zealand
Sep 2023 RWC Paris France 27-13 New Zealand
Team News
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (Captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Peter Lakai, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
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: 15 Max Spring, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Fabien Brau-Boirie, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Theo Attissogbe, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu (captain), 8 Marko Gazzotti, 7 Oscar Jegou, 6 Pierre Bochaton, 5 Tom Staniforth, 4 Hugo Auradou, 3 Demba Bamba, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Jefferson Poirot.
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
The Betting
Updated 03 July 00h17
New Zealand -11.5
France +12.5
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Bet: New Zealand v France
Posted 03 July
2 units (1-5) France +12.5 at 9/10 at BetXchange
France are missing a few key players, but they are still able to field a very competitive side for this opening Test.
This will be the All Blacks' first match under Dave Rennie. I rate him very highly as a coach, but I still feel the handicap is set a touch too high.
A far less experienced French side pushed New Zealand all the way on tour last year and, while I expect the hosts to make a fast start, I can see France working their way back into the contest as it develops.
I certainly would not rule out the possibility of an upset if they can stay within touching distance during the opening hour.
The total points line is set at 57.5 and, with the match being played under the roof, conditions should be ideal for attacking rugby.
That looks to be a fair number though, so I'll be staying out of the totals market and focusing solely on France with the start.
More Rugby Bets
This week we have previews and Brent Graham’s bets for New Zealand vs France, Australia vs Ireland and South Africa vs England. More Nations Series and World U20 Championship bets from Brent and other members of our community will be posted in the weekly rugby thread on our brand new discussion forum. If you haven't done so already, register a forum account here.
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.