Overview
- France was beaten 43-17 by the All Blacks in the second test at Sky Stadium, marking its largest margin of defeat since Fabien Galthié became head coach in early 2020.
- Fabien Galthié made ten changes to his starting XV and handed the captain’s armband to hooker Gaëtan Barlot for the first time, resting several experienced players including tour captain Gaël Fickou.
- Played in heavy rain and wind on a worn grass surface, the match conditions differed sharply from the covered synthetic pitch used in the 31-27 opening test at Dunedin.
- The loss extended France’s winless run on New Zealand soil to beyond 15 years, with the team now trailing 2-0 in the three-match summer series.
- The decisive third test is set for July 19 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, where France must win to avoid a series whitewash.