All Blacks beat France in thrilling Nations Championship opener

New Zealand launched the inaugural Nations Championship with a dramatic nine-try victory over France in Christchurch. Will Jordan was the star, scoring two tries to help secure the win in a match that captivated the crowd and set a high standard for the new competition.

The game was a testament to the ambition behind the Nations Championship, a tournament designed to create a more structured global rugby calendar. The thrilling contest between two of rugby's traditional powerhouses demonstrated the potential for exciting, high-stakes matches under the new framework.

France provided a stern test, contributing significantly to the high-scoring spectacle. The nine tries scored in total underscored the attacking intent from both sides, making for an enthralling opener. The result will be a significant boost for the All Blacks as they look to establish dominance in the new championship, while France will aim to regroup and build on their performance in future fixtures.