Read the best Premium analysis from the All Blacks opening test victory over France.
Phil Gifford: All Blacks rookie looks to be ‘real deal’
[Fabian] Holland is the real deal, proving both his temperament and physicality are up to the demands of international rugby, with a flawless lineout performance. At2.04m and 124kg, he shapes as the giant lock the All Blacks have missed since Brodie Retallick (also 2.04m) stepped down. Read more
Gregor Paul: Progress or stalling? All Blacks’ key challenge in new season
The bad news is that the All Blacks of 2025 have not given definitive proof that they are a significantly different version of their 2024 selves and that the art of playing test rugby is still a major work in progress for them. Read more
Player ratings: The All Black debutant that impressed the most
A fine debut in a strong 80-minute effort. How often do you see that from a new lock? Earns another test to see if we have the new Brodie Retallick. Led the All Blacks with 17 tackles and also had 13 carries.Read more
France player ratings: The Frenchman who outshone the All Blacks
Best on show. Arrived with a big reputation and justified it with his energy and dash. Lovely running and important tidying-up in the busy late stages. Billy Proctor is probably too young to remember Serge Blanco, but he got a taste of the classic when the French No 15 jersey wafted out of reach in build-up to opening try. Read more
‘Exceeded my expectations’: Barrett on transformative Irish rugby journey
“I didn’t know what to expect,” [Jordie] Barrett says, reflecting on his Irish stint. “No one before me had done it for quite some time. Dan [Carter] was the last but no one had gone for an Irish or Leinster experience so I was walking out into deep water at the start.” Read more