On the other side of the world, the temperature is already rising. On Saturday, New Zealand meet France to open their international season, on the pitch of a Christchurch stadium rebuilt from scratch after the earthquakes that scarred the city. A new setting for a fixture the local press is relishing. To take the temperature on the New Zealand side, we spoke to Sam Casey, a journalist at Radio NZ and a close follower of the All Blacks. Expectations, wariness of a France team “perhaps the best in the world”, young players with an eye on 2027 and the arrival of the Nations Cup: he unpacks what is at stake in a “massive test match”.

“Here, an All Blacks test match is always crucial”

In New Zealand, a match involving the men in black is never taken lightly. The pressure for results is constant, and the standards inherited from decades of dominance weigh on every selection. Sam Casey sets the scene.

Sam, what can you tell us about this New Zealand v France in Christchurch?

Here in New Zealand, as soon as it involves the All Blacks jersey and a test match, whoever the opposition is, it is crucial. People expect the All Blacks to win, the expectations are huge. The win statistics matter here: Scott Robertson lost four tests in his first season in charge, three in his second. Our expectations are that high… Now it is Dave Rennie in charge of the team, and he needs to start well. So this is a massive test match. For two seasons now, New Zealand have needed a restart. Last season a weakened France side came to Dunedin and pushed us to the very limit, we only won by four points. We are under no illusions that this is going to be a seriously physical match against a French team that is missing a few key players, yes, but French rugby has such depth… perhaps the best in the world. But Dave Rennie is bringing a new style of play to the All Blacks, and it is going to take a few matches for that to bed in and for us to see a great All Blacks side. We have high expectations, but I have seen a lot of people here getting up very early to watch the players in this French team on television, and I am certain they will produce a big performance on Saturday.

A France side feared despite the absentees

The memory of the last meeting is still fresh. In Dunedin, a much-changed France side had the All Blacks wobbling to the finish, losing by only four points. In these parts, France are no longer treated as a sacrificial offering: they command a respect tinged with wariness. Sam Casey makes no secret of his admiration for the depth of the French pool, which he rates among the very best on the planet. He also stresses an internal project: the new style of play Dave Rennie wants, which will take time before it delivers in full.

“We are not short of talent for 2027”

Rebuilding, yes, but not famine. Looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup in Australia, New Zealand can lean on a rising generation mixed with senior men shaped under Scott Robertson. Casey runs through the strengths of a squad he rates as “very strong”.

You tell us you are short of time before the next World Cup, but you are not short of talent?

No, we have a lot of talented, world-class young players, alongside experienced players from the Scott Robertson era. That is one thing you cannot take away from him: he brought new players in and gave them game time and experience. We will see the outcome in 2027 in Australia at the World Cup. We have quite a few young players in the backs, and we have good players who have won Super Rugby titles with the Wellington Hurricanes. We would have liked to see Antoine Dupont in the No. 9 shirt, but you have enough experienced players in that position. We also have talents like Damian McKenzie, Barrett, and Jordie, who is coming back stronger and stronger. He was brilliant for the Hurricanes this year. This All Blacks squad is a very strong, solid group, and in good form. Enough to produce top-level rugby.

The Nations Cup, “simply fabulous”

The overhaul of the international calendar reshuffles the deck. Gone are the summer tours and the isolated autumn tests: in comes the Nations Cup, which promises to pit the best nations against each other in a tighter framework. A year out from the World Cup, the idea has fully won over our interviewee.

What do you make of this new competition, the Nations Cup, which replaces the good old summer and autumn tests?

I think it is simply fabulous! We, New Zealand, are going to face all the best teams, the ones in the top tier, this year. New competition, new faces, a new landscape — it is hugely exciting, challenging, and a year out from the World Cup it is refreshing and exciting in sporting terms. We have some serious challenges ahead of us. Coming back to this weekend, we play France and then Australia, there will be South Africa, Argentina against Scotland… The concept is a big one.