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new zealand vs france

The upcoming clash between the New Zealand All Blacks and France is set for Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Hamilton, where the All Blacks lead the three-match test series 2-0 after earlier victories in Dunedin and Wellington[2]. The French coach, Fabien Galthié, has made headlines by demanding “neutral” refereeing in the Hamilton finale, expressing discontent with the officiating, particularly regarding scrum decisions throughout the series[4].

For the final test, the All Blacks have suffered another injury setback with Rieko Ioane, initially named on the wing, ruled out due to a hamstring issue. This marks the second consecutive week where the All Blacks are forced to adjust their lineup on the wing due to injury[5].

Earlier in the series, the All Blacks clinched victories in both Dunedin and Wellington. In Wellington, New Zealand edged ahead through penalty kicks and clever attacking plays, while France searched for their first-ever win in the New Zealand capital but fell short[2]. The opening test in Dunedin, described as “an incredible back-and-forth thriller,” saw star performances for New Zealand despite France’s dangerous attacking threats[3].

In age-grade rugby, the New Zealand Under 20s are preparing to face France in the semifinals of the World Rugby U20 Championship on Tuesday, July 15 (NZT). The fixture is a rematch of the 2024 semifinal, where France ran out 55–31 winners. This time, four players from last year’s meeting will again start for New Zealand, determined to reverse the result. Notably, Rico Simpson shifts from fullback to first five-eighth, while Stanley Solomon takes up the No. 15 jersey. The semifinal will be broadcast on Sky Sport NZ[1].

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