PremiumOpinionHome / Sport / Rugby / All BlacksOpinion byGregor PaulRugby analyst·NZ Herald·5 Jul, 2026 06:05 PM5 mins to readRugby analyst and feature writer‌The All Blacks hold off a determined France to win a gripping opening test.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.Having seen the opening weekend of the Nations Championship produce an average of 63 points per game, it’s apparent that international rugby has emerged out of the box-kicking dark ages and is in the midst of a ball-in-hand, attacking renaissance.

Gone, it seems, are the days of teams wanting to

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