Dominican Republic 81:82 USA 
Bahamas 123:74 Jamaica 
Miami Heat 88:87 San Antonio Spurs 
Saskatoon Mamba 96:92 Calgary Surge 
Vancouver Bandits 93:94 Edmonton Stingers 
Las Vegas Aces W 90:98 Chicago Sky W 
Mexico 98:79 Nicaragua 
Golden State Warriors 104:72 Los Angeles Lakers 
Tauranga Whai 59:109 Auckland Tuatara 
Manly W. W 92:52 Sutherland Sharks W 
Hills Hornets W 101:80 Maitland Mustangs W 
Ipswich Force W 78:70 Gold Coast Rollers W 
Manly W. 63:88 Sutherland Sharks 
Bankstown Bruins W 83:57 Penrith P. W 
Central Coast W 64:79 Hornsby S. W 
Illawarra Hawks W 64:76 Albury W 
Inner West Bulls W 41:102 Newcastle Falcons W 
Otago Nuggets 90:91 Wellington Saints 
Kilsyth W 105:92 Casey Cavaliers W 
Northern Tasmania W 51:73 Melbourne Tigers W 
North Gold Coast Seahawks W 99:95 Cairns W 
Canberra 70:81 Norths Bears 
Diamond Valley W 88:84 Nunawading W 
Eltham W 75:67 Sandringham W 
Frankston W 75:80 Geelong W 
Logan Thunder W 93:80 Northside Wizards W 
Rockhampton W 83:80 Townsville Flames W 
San Juan Knights 110:76 Sarangani Marlins 
Hills Hornets 82:72 Maitland M. 
Norwood Flames W 85:61 Eastern Mavericks W 
The first match of the Nations Championship had everything: speed, power, and a nail-biting finish. New Zealand and France went head-to-head in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. In the end, the All Blacks came out on top with a 34-32 win, thanks to a powerful second-half surge and some clutch plays from their stars.
A Fast Start for the All Blacks
New Zealand came flying out of the gate. They moved the ball quickly, stretched the French defense, and found gaps early. Will Jordan opened the scoring with a brilliant run down the sideline, stepping past defenders to plant the ball for the first try. The All Blacks built a solid lead in the first half, using their speed on the wings and strong set pieces to keep France on their heels.
- Will Jordan scored his first try in the opening minutes after a slick backline move.
- New Zealand’s forwards dominated the breakdown, winning several key turnovers.
- France struggled to contain the All Blacks’ fast ruck speed early on.
France Fights Back in the Second Half
The French team didn’t back down. After halftime, they came out with more energy and a sharper attack. Their backs started to find space, and they scored two quick tries to cut the lead. France’s scrum also began to push New Zealand backward, earning penalties and putting pressure on the All Blacks’ defense. With ten minutes left, France actually took the lead for the first time in the match, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
- France’s fly-half orchestrated a comeback with pinpoint kicks and line breaks.
- Two tries in five minutes brought France from 10 points down to ahead by 1.
- The French forwards started winning collisions, giving their backs more time on the ball.
Will Jordan Shines as the Hero
Just when it looked like France might steal the win, Will Jordan stepped up again. With five minutes on the clock, he chased a clever grubber kick, regathered the ball, and dove over the line for his second try. That score put New Zealand back in front. France had one final chance deep in All Blacks territory, but a desperate turnover from New Zealand’s captain sealed the victory. Jordan’s two tries and a calm performance under pressure made him the difference in a game that could have gone either way.
The Nations Championship Gets Off to a Flying Start
This was exactly the kind of opening match that a new tournament needs—high-scoring, dramatic, and full of world-class rugby. Both teams showed they belong on the biggest stage. For New Zealand, the win sets a strong tone for the rest of the championship. For France, the narrow loss proves they can hang with the best. Fans are already looking forward to the next round, hoping for more of the same excitement.