A serious competition kicks off with a serious tie, with New Zealand and France having the honor of getting the inaugural Nations Championship underway. In keeping with the occasion, Saturday’s blockbuster will be the All Blacks’ first appearance at the newly built Te Kaha stadium in Christchurch.
All going well, the game will usher in a new All Blacks era and serve as Ruben Love’s origin story. The forward-thinking 25-year-old has got the nod at fly-half after an outstanding campaign in which he led the Hurricanes to their first Super Rugby title in a decade. Love topped the scoring charts and eclipsed Richie Mo’unga, Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie in the playoffs, while new coach Dave Rennie has sensibly opted to surround him with club teammates Cam Roigard and Jordie Barrett. Ardie Savea will wear the armband in Scott Barrett’s absence.
One of the best things about the Nations Championship is its proximity in the calendar to the end of the domestic season, but in France’s case that’s backfired. Their sizeable Toulouse and Montpellier contingents are both ineligible, having featured in the Top 14 final, while captain Antoine Dupont has withdrawn from the tournament squad altogether after picking up a calf injury during the game.
It’s a horrible hand for Fabien Galthie to have been dealt, especially as the back-to-back Six Nations champions would have fancied their chances at full-strength. His is, however, able to field Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert in an otherwise extremely youthful XV.
Read on as we explain how to watch New Zealand vs France for free in the 2026 Nations Championship.
Can you watch New Zealand vs France for free?
Yes. New Zealand vs France is being shown on free-to-air Rugbypass TV in the US, on ITVX in the UK, and on Virgin Media Play in Ireland.
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch New Zealand vs France for free as if you were right at home.
Use a VPN to watch New Zealand vs France live streams
A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it’s back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with up to 75% off.
How to watch New Zealand vs France live streams in the US
New Zealand vs France, along with all 42 Nations Championship games, is available to live stream for FREE on Rugbypass TV in the US.
You can tune in via the Rugbypass TV website or app, and it works with Chromecast, Airplay, AppleTV and Android TV.
Outside of the US? Use a VPN while you’re traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
How to watch New Zealand vs France live streams in the UK
In the UK, New Zealand vs France is free-to-air on ITV1, with live streaming available via ITVX.
All you need is an account, a TV license and a UK postcode (e.g.HA9 0WS). Sign up here!
If you’re out of the UK but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.
How to watch New Zealand vs France live streams in Ireland
New Zealand vs France is free-to-air on Virgin Media One in Ireland, with live streaming available via the Virgin Media Play platform.
Outside Ireland? You’ll need to download a VPN, as detailed above, to tap into your free Nations Championship stream from abroad.
How to watch New Zealand vs France live streams in Australia
In Australia, New Zealand vs France is exclusive to Stan Sport.
Stan Sport costs AU$20/month on top of a Stan subscription, which itself starts at AU$12/month.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch the action as if you were back home.
How to watch All Blacks vs France live streams in New Zealand
In New Zealand, Sky Sport NZ is showing the All Blacks vs France game.
You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream, with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at NZ$29.99 per day or NZ$59.99 per month.
Those outside of New Zealand for any part of the Nations Championship can use NordVPN to gain access to their home streaming service.
How to watch New Zealand vs France live streams in South Africa
The New Zealand vs France game is being shown on Supersport in South Africa.
You’ll need to get a DStv access package to watch the Nations Championship, with prices starting at Rs99/month for the streaming version.
Abroad right now? Just use a VPN and tell your device that you’re back home and you’ll be good to go.
How to watch New Zealand vs France live streams in Canada
In Canada, New Zealand vs France is being shown on Premier Sports.
A monthly pass costs CA$29.99. You’ll need either the CA$79.99 six-month pass or the CA$139.99/year annual subscription to tune in for the whole tournament.
If you’re out of Canada but still want to catch the action, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.
What is the New Zealand vs France start time?
The scheduled New Zealand vs France kick-off time on Saturday, July 4 is 7.10pm NZST local time in Christchurch, which is 12.10am PT / 3.10am ET / 8.10am BST / 5.10pm AEST.
What is the New Zealand vs France head-to-head?
The All Blacks have won 51 of their 67 previous encounters with France. Les Bleus have won 15, and the other ended in a draw.
In New Zealand, the head-to-head stands at 30-4.
Can I watch New Zealand vs France on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone’s browser. For example, ITVX, Rugbypass TV and VM Play all have dedicated apps.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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