The All Blacks survived a challenge from France to win 34-32 in Christchurch, and here is how media around the world reacted to Dave Rennie's winning start.
Cam Roigard and Will Jordan each scored twice as the hosts opened the inaugural Nations Championship and the Rennie era at One New Zealand Stadium, but France crossed for four tries and closed to within two points in the dying minutes.
'Ambitious but deeply flawed' win
The Associated Press called it an "ambitious but deeply flawed" victory.
"Rennie called for two qualities from the All Blacks, brutality and optimism, and they produced both but only in patches," the wire service published.
"Errors of execution and discipline forced by the relentlessness of a French team stripped of many of its leading players meant New Zealand was unable to secure its win until the final minutes…
It added: New Zealand wanted brutality in its accuracy and physicality and achieved that at times. Its optimism showed in the high tempo of its play and its resolve to always play with ball in hand.
"But errors induced by pressure and by the immaturity of new combinations prevented the All Blacks ever taking full control."
Meanwhile, Reuters' Ian Ransom framed it as a "cliffhanger" and said the All Blacks held on to "deny France a first win in New Zealand since 2009."
'Far from convincing'
Rugby365's Leezil Hendricks wrote that the performance was "far from convincing".
"It was a disastrous opening spell for the All Blacks, who were reduced to 14 men when flyhalf Ruben Love was shown a yellow card for a dangerous high tackle," she wrote.
"Despite their numerical disadvantage, the visitors hit back. Captain Ardie Savea’s outstanding work at the breakdown laid the platform for Jordan to dive over in the corner. McKenzie’s conversion drifted wide, leaving the All Blacks trailing by two points."
'Hard-fought impressive victory'
The Daily Telegraph's Alexander Netherton called it a "hard-fought, impressive victory," saying "the All Blacks had it all to do after a desperate start."
Meanwhile, Planet Rugby's Jared Wright billed it an "epic, helter-skelter victory" while the BBC's Matt Gault described a "captivating, nine-try thriller".
"With Antoine Dupont absent, it was the All Blacks’ number nine that shone with Cam Roigard touching down either side of half-time for Rennie’s charges, with Will Jordan scoring in both halves too," Wright wrote.
Back home, The Post's Paul Cully wrote in his analysis that the All Blacks' "optimistic mindset crashed into the harsh realities of modern test rugby," adding there was perhaps some relief that the French had not sent their strongest team.
Meanwhile, the Herald's Liam Napier called the performance "more clunky than clinical".
SHARE ME