All Blacks Edge France in Thriller

New Zealand held off a courageous French side to win 34-32 in a nine-try thriller in Christchurch, kicking off the inaugural Nations Championship rugby union tournament in dramatic fashion.

Will Jordan scored two pivotal tries for the All Blacks, while the win marked a successful start for new head coach Dave Rennie, who expressed 'relief' after the narrow victory and promised his team would only improve.

Elsewhere on the opening weekend, Ireland snatched a late 33-31 win over Australia in Sydney thanks to a converted try by Tom Clarkson, while Japan cruised past Italy 27-10 in Tokyo and South Africa prepared to host England in Johannesburg.