The skies over Hamilton were clear as Damian McKenzie got play underway in the third and final Test match between New Zealand and France.
24,162 fans were in full voice without an empty seat to be seen as France struck first, and then second, too. A 10-point deficit made way for a 17-19 halftime scoreline that favoured the visitors.
The second half saw the Kiwis in attack mode, with only a few French outbursts that failed to add to the halftime score. For the hosts, all the possession and territory turned into just enough points to scrape out a home win.
Here’s how the Kiwis rated.
1. Ethan de Groot – 7
The Highlanders’ bruiser was busy without being overly effective, carrying a match-high 11 times in the first half. Those efforts contributed to phase play without earning his side much in the way of momentum.
The prop made a solid showing and maintained good energy in a 44-minute performance, but you wouldn’t say he’s made any statement that could see him retain the No. 1 jersey when Tamaiti Williams returns.
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 7
Starting a Test match for the first time since pool play at the 2024 Rugby World Cup, Taukei’aho was active with the ball in hand but struggled to make metres.
Led the lineout to an 88 per cent accuracy after an early overthrow. The hooker made his presence felt around the breakdown, getting involved in securing the ball after some awkward half-breaks. 10 carries and 11 tackles on the night.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 6
Scott Robertson had an emphatic response when asked about Lomax’s status for the final of these July Test games.
“I tell you what, he definitely let us know he’s available,” the coach grinned, reflecting on the scrummaging sessions from earlier in the week.
A calf injury ruled New Zealand’s premier tighthead out of the opening two games of this series, but Fletcher Newell had proven himself as a reliable replacement in the No. 3 jersey.
Lomax’s return wasn’t as emphatic as his coach’s endorsement, but he steered the scrum to a clean bill and showed no clear signs of rust. A quiet eight tackles and two carries were registered.
4. Patrick Tuipulotu – 8
There were some clumsy moments from the veteran, as he was guilty of an improper maul entry and spilling a restart early. He also started the second half with another lazy attempt at claiming the high ball.
The lineout wasn’t entirely smooth sailing, but Tuipulotu did claim a defensive steal as the Kiwi pack found their rhythm.
The lock was one of the more consistent gainline ball carriers, hitting the ball in motion and driving through contact while targetting French hips. His 16 carries were second only to Ardie Savea.
5. Fabian Holland – 7.5
Having taken to the international arena like a duck to water, Holland again chewed through plenty of miles in Hamilton.
He was as active as anyone in getting his hands on the ball while distributing from the head of the forward pods, a big role in the All Blacks‘ attack.
Defence 
93%
Tackle Completion %
93%
The big blindside was hungry to impose his physicality on the game and had some heavy collisions to show for it. When the hosts needed someone to ram a hole in the French line, their blindside was one of the go-tos, but the defence rarely budged.
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 7.5
A late withdrawal from Luke Jacobson paved the way for Kirifi’s first start in a black jersey, and the result was nothing less than we’ve come to expect from the flanker.
A team-high 13 tackles without a miss, and a first try in black were fair reward for a robust 80-minute effort.
8. Ardie Savea – 8
A decision to put in a chip kick when inside his side’s 22 didn’t pay off, leading to three points for France. The same result came from a knock-on when returning a kick-off, stopping the momentum created by Will Jordan’s opening try.
The captain’s class had shone through by the night’s end, though, with trademark timely breakdown steals and big carries leading the way.
9. Cortez Ratima – 7.5
The young halfback had some great plays, with the big highlight being his try assist for Will Jordan’s five-pointer.
After Cam Roigard handled much of the kicking in the first two Tests, those duties shifted beyond the halfback for this one.
Ratima was kept busy as New Zealand kept the ball in hand and forced France to make nearly 300 tackles. Ratima’s 94 passes were almost twice the tally of his opposite, Nolann Le Garrec.
10. Damian McKenzie – 6
Surrounding McKenzie with his Chiefs running mates should have given him the best chance to succeed at 10, but the Kiwi attack wasn’t quite the well-oiled machine fans would’ve hoped for it to be.
Up against a superb French defence, some of that McKenzie magic would have gone down a treat and really pushed Beauden Barrett’s claim on the 10 shirt. The breaks just didn’t come, though.
On the positive side, some kicks found grass, and there was a try assist that saw the 10 provide the service his team needed.
11. Sevu Reece – 8
Reece’s energy is always going to create plays, and in Hamilton, his efforts won possession straight off a number of restarts.
Reece was at his best chasing kicks and working hard in tight, doing his best loose forward impression in a game that saw plenty of breakdowns.
12. Quinn Tupaea – 6.5
Starting for the All Blacks for the first time in 1106 days, Tupaea didn’t quite hit high gear. With that being said, his industrious style of play doesn’t demand momentum.
The 26-year-old hit half-gaps hard and made himself enough of a threat to draw attention as a decoy runner.
13. Anton Lienert-Brown – 6
Lienert-Brown lacked some accuracy under pressure in his return to the black jersey, but was responsible for some robust work in the midfield, including dragging a handful of defenders over the line two minutes after the halftime siren.
With an opportunity to stake his claim for the No. 13 jersey, the veteran was relatively quiet.
14. Will Jordan – 8
Mr. Inevitable was at it again when his side needed it, scoring while down 10-zip 22 minutes into the match.
Jordan was able to inject himself into the game from the right edge, making a game-high three linebreaks while showing up defensively with timely and accurate efforts.
15. Ruben Love – 8.5
The fullback looked strong in all aspects the contest asked of him, contesting well under the high ball and surviving some awkward situations when play broke down.
Substitutes
16. Brodie McAlister – 7
The debutant had a quality start to his All Blacks career, with a few attacking lineouts seeing his side go close to scoring. The lineout looked less convincing as McAlister’s cameo wore on.
A special moment scoring the match-clinching try on debut.
17. George Bower – 7
An early scrum penalty conceded, but Bower looked the more powerful of the reserve props on his side of the scrum.
22m Entries
Newell now looks rock solid at the international level, and his scrummaging is a superb asset off the bench for the Kiwis.
19. Dalton Papali’i – 6
20. Christian Lio-Willie – NA
21. Noah Hotham – 7
A tenacious showing from Hotham, who has had something of a shaky 2025 season. The youngster’s performance in his hometown of Hamilton was a continuation of that 2025 form, with overly ambitious moments coupled with game-breaking playmaking.
The 22-year-old is still finding the balance required by the international level, but his potential is clearly world-class.
22. Timoci Tavatavanawai – 6
Big Jim looked to be one of the few Kiwis who had a clear physical advantage in his matchup, but couldn’t quite turn that into any tangible opportunity in his short stint on the park.
23. Jordie Barrett – 8.5
A superstar showing off the bench from Barrett, who showed his class on both sides of the ball. A try-saver soon after coming into the contest caught Leo Barre just short of the line, and on the other end, it was the URC champion who set up the match-sealing try to Brodie McAlister.
