How world media reacted to All Blacks win over France

The All Blacks are officially back in business, narrowly snatching the victory from France with a 34-32 win at a soldout Te Kaha stadium in Christchurch.

The game was dubbed an emotional test by debutant winger Fehi Fineanganofo, with prop Xavier Numia and lock Jamie Hannah also putting on the jersey for the very first time.

Six Nations champions France fell short of a rare win on New Zealand soil, despite a thrilling try within the first two minutes of the game.

Saturday's performance - from both sides - captured the world's attention, as the Nations Championship kicked off.

Here's how world media reacted to the All Blacks season-opener.

France 24 and AFP

France 24 and Agence France-Presse have angled on the game being Dave Rennie's first as All Blacks coach.

Quoting the new coach, AFP's headline read: "Rennie 'relief' as All Blacks tenure begins with narrow win over France".

Coming off of a coaching stint in Japan, Rennie has replaced Scott Robertson, after he was fired by New Zealand Rugby in January.

The media outlet honed in on Rennie's post-game praise and feedback, including his promise of "optimistic" rugby from the All Blacks.

"I can't fault the effort, I love the mindset, but we've got to be a lot more accurate," Rennie is quoted as saying.

"We just need more time, more reps, more work around the combinations."

The BBC

British broadcaster BBC described the game as "thrilling", pointing the spotlight at (potentially) the soon-to-be recordholder Will Jordan, as well as Peter Lakai and Cam Roigard.

Roigard was described as "outstanding", with both the scrumhalf and Lakai "on target".

"Prolific wing Jordan struck in the seventh and 71st minute to hand new All Blacks boss Dave Rennie a winning start and move within two of Doug Howlett's record 49 tries for New Zealand," the article read.

Tries from France's Damian Penaud, Antoine Hastoy, Theo Attissogbe and Matthieu Jalibert were applauded, while the absence of star players Antoine Dupont and Louis Bielle-Biarrey were duly noted.

RugbyPass

An article from RugbyPass angles on New Zealand's "soft" defence, quoting Lakai.

"To an extent, we scored some brilliant tries, but we also let in a few soft ones as well.

"We expected them [France] to play quick, especially around the ruck, the nines jumping out, and they obviously came down the middle and they scored a few soft tries."

The article highlighted France's "dangerous" ability to create opportunities on attack.

The South African

France 'B'.

That was the angle for South African news outlet The South African.

It's headline read: "All Blacks scrape past France 'B' in Nations Championship opener".

The online outlet's article highlighted that France was missing several players, "including everyone from their top two clubs".

The All Blacks' next test match is against Italy on 11 July in Wellington.