The New Zealand All Blacks delivered a commanding performance to secure a 43-17 victory over France in the second Test of their three-match summer series at Wellington's Sky Stadium on July 12, 2025. This win not only extended their series lead to 2-0 but also marked their highest score against France since a 49-14 triumph in Dunedin in 2018.
From the outset, the All Blacks imposed their dominance, racing to a 29-3 lead by halftime and never relinquishing control. The first half showcased New Zealand's tactical prowess and physicality, with six tries scored in just over an hour highlighting their superiority over a French side that appeared disjointed and vulnerable, a situation exacerbated by France coach Fabien Galthie's controversial decision to make ten changes to his starting XV following their narrow first Test loss.
New Zealand's early momentum was sparked by fly-half Beauden Barrett's penalty at the 8-minute mark, setting the tone for the hosts. Just six minutes later, scrum-half Cam Roigard executed a brilliant lineout move that saw him sprint down the left sideline to score the opening try, which Barrett converted, putting the All Blacks ahead 10-0.
Ardie Savea, ranked the world's No.1 rugby player by FloRugby and captain of the All Blacks in Scott Barrett's absence, was instrumental throughout the match. He scored the second try of the game in the 24th minute, showcasing his power and skill by wrestling over the line after a well-executed lineout play. This try marked Savea's 29th Test five-pointer, surpassing the legendary Richie McCaw as New Zealand's most prolific try-scoring forward.
Codie Taylor, the All Blacks' hooker, extended the lead with a try in the 29th minute, capitalizing on a traditional rolling maul that France struggled to contain, especially after debutant lock Joshua Brennan received a yellow card for a dangerous tip tackle on Jordie Barrett. Tupou Vaa'i, another standout performer, finished off a dazzling sequence of offloads just before halftime to put New Zealand comfortably ahead at 29-3.
France's debutant Joshua Brennan, son of former Ireland international Trevor Brennan and playing for Toulouse, had a challenging introduction to Test rugby. Despite scoring a late consolation try in the 78th minute, his night was marred by a yellow card for the spear tackle on Jordie Barrett, which disrupted France's rhythm and contributed to their struggles.
Beauden Barrett's ten-minute stint in the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on could have been a turning point, but the All Blacks' defense held firm, conceding only three points during his absence and responding with a try from Savea upon his return, further demoralizing the French side.
France’s first try came in the second half when fullback Léo Barré crossed the line in the 48th minute, following a slick team move, with Nolann Le Garrec adding the conversion to cut the deficit to 29-10. However, the All Blacks quickly reasserted their dominance through the lethal finishing of Will Jordan, who scored his 41st Test try in his 43rd appearance just six minutes later, and Rieko Ioane, who notched his first try of 2025 in the 62nd minute after a series of clinical offloads.
The All Blacks' tactical execution and relentless pressure left France struggling to mount any sustained comeback, despite a noticeable improvement in their forward play during the latter stages. Jordie Barrett’s remarkable defensive effort in holding up Brennan from scoring under the posts at the 57th minute epitomized New Zealand's commitment and discipline throughout the game.
New Zealand's head coach Scott Robertson praised his team’s improved execution following their tight 31-27 win in Dunedin a week earlier, stating that the players delivered on their plans to sew up the series with a match to spare. The victory also ended a recent hoodoo at Sky Stadium, where the All Blacks had managed just one win in their previous six matches.
France, ranked No. 4 in the world with 88.90 points as of July 7, 2025, arrived in New Zealand without many of their first-choice players, a factor that contributed to their disjointed performance. Coach Fabien Galthie's gamble to rotate his squad heavily backfired, highlighting the challenges of balancing squad depth with cohesion in high-stakes international rugby.
Injuries also impacted the All Blacks, with captain Scott Barrett ruled out for the remainder of the series due to a calf injury, and Caleb Clarke sidelined with a high ankle injury sustained during training. Despite these setbacks, the team’s depth shone through, with players like Tupou Vaa'i and Codie Taylor stepping up magnificently.
The series will conclude on July 19, 2025, at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, where the All Blacks will look to seal a clean sweep. Coach Robertson has indicated plans to rotate the squad to give all members game time, a luxury afforded by their commanding 2-0 lead.
New Zealand’s dominance in this series underscores their status as one of the premier rugby nations globally, currently ranked No. 2 with 90.98 points. Meanwhile, France faces a critical period of reflection and rebuilding as they prepare for the final Test and future competitions.
As the All Blacks lift the Dave Gallaher Trophy with pride, their fans can relish a performance that combined strategic brilliance, physical dominance, and individual excellence, setting a high benchmark for international rugby in 2025.
