All Blacks React to First Test Win of 2026 | Press Conference

Dave, your first test as All Black coach.Can you just tell us what pleased you the most out of that?

I love the effort.I love the optimism.There was one time where we were probably overly optimistic.We got a penalty and we had two and they had four.But yeah, I thought we were able to play with a really high tempo over Lightning Quickball, almost 85%, which is just outrageous.So I thought we did a lot of really good things with the ball, but We just needed to play through them a little bit more there.

The big men were tiring and they were able to play high on the edge and we made a few errors there.So, can't fault the effort.I love the mindset.We've just got to be a lot more accurate.

Did it feel kind of like when the team is playing well, it's playing really, really well?

Yeah.It was an armoury so we couldn't shake them.We'd score and we made a couple of errors that gifted them a good field position.But I think It wasn't a great start, was it?Down 7 -0 and a yellow card.But I thought we managed the next 10 minutes really well and managed to score.

But we constantly got our nose in front and then gave them an opportunity and they were good enough to take it.Their short passing game was excellent and we just probably lacked a little bit of line speed on the inside to apply a bit more pressure.But no, no lack of effort.

Just in terms of the lightning quick fall, I thought France also had a pretty quick fall.

What defence... 70, 76%.

do you want to see?

We just need more time, more reps, more around combinations.There's a lot of guts.We scrambled really well at times.We've just got to get off the line and apply a lot more pressure, get two in the tackle more often.to give them slow ball so we can reset and get off the line and do it again.We spent a bit of time on it over the last few days.

We just need a lot more.It'll make a massive difference because you can give them slow ball.It gives us time to fold, get appropriate numbers and get off the line.Both teams play pretty similar mindsets.You look at a lot of the stats, the numbers are very similar.Yeah, we've got to be a bit better, but I like the mindset and we tidy up a few things.

Yeah, we would have created a lot more opportunities tonight.

Dave, big night for Ruben Love.You mentioned he had a bit of a tough start, but what did you make of his performance?

Yeah, really pleased for him.He's an impressive young man.He's very confident.He's taking control.Doesn't mind bossing around some of the old fellas.Yeah, so I'm really, really pleased for Ruben.

Yeah, so we'll assess.you know, another seven days together, leading in Sicily will be great.

Ardy.Ardy.Fihi just told us before he was so nervous he was throwing up at halftime.What did you make of his debut and how pleasing to see?him get his opportunity in black?

Yeah, I thought the guys that played their first Test match were outstanding, come on, did their job and had a few good carries.So I'm just really pleased for them and their families.

Dave, Jamie Hanna getting a late call in, part or two part of how serious is Paddy's injury and what did you make of, I suppose, Jamie's performance and his calmness and mentality, knowing that he was going to debut on such short notice?

Yeah, Paddy's, it's very minor.We didn't run him in the captain's run yesterday.We thought he'd be OK, but just even doing some calf raises was a little tight.And so we're confident he'll be all right for next week.I mean, awesome for Jamie.We sat him down around midday and let him know what was happening.

We were doing some lineouts.We were just walking through stuff.And he actually trained for Sam Darry on Thursday, so he got a lot of reps. And he did the captain's run for Paddy on Friday.So we asked him, do we need to go up in the line -out so he gets a few more reps?And he said, nah, I'm really clear.And he was really comfortable around the defensive role.

So pretty cool.He gets to make his debut at home in front of his family and friends.So I thought he acquitted himself really well.He got stuck in, got his hands on the ball.It was physical.So yeah, nice stuff.

Would it be a feeling of happiness or relief?

Oh, it's definitely relief when you're coaching.Yeah, look, you did a pretty good job of talking the French side down, but we're well aware of their quality.They're good enough.take opportunities and we probably gifted them position in key spots.So we're going to be better there.But yeah, when it gets close and there's a couple of minutes left, our boys did a good job running down the clock.

So yeah, it's probably more relief than joy, but always nicer to build on getting better after a win.

How would you rate this game out of 10, like at school?

I wouldn't rate it out of 10.I'd need to have a decent look at all the detail, but again, if I'm talking around mindset, I was right by that, that'd be a big number.We talked about effort, that'd be a big number.Combination -wise, and maybe some of our decision -making, attack and defense, we've got to be a bit better.We certainly weren't high -fiving and jumping for joy afterwards.We're happy to win and we've got a game under our belt now and we'll build on that.

from one for you as head coach of the All Blacks.Dave, how are you feeling personally after that?

I don't know.I mean, I'll probably mention that it's not about me.So I'm really happy for the boys.I'm happy for the guys who made their debut tonight.And yeah, again, we've talked a lot about optimism, the type of game we want to play, and you saw a lot of evidence of that.We're probably a bit loose at times, but it's easier to haul things back in, I reckon.

So really happy with the attitude.

Yeah, I thought the rest of the leaders in our team really stepped up and ran our circles and when we got put under pressure, again, Reuben took control real directly.his messaging and what we needed to do next.Like Renz, really proud of the mindset and the effort.Just a few little skill sets and accuracy that we need to fix and we'll be on our way to build on that.I got a knock to a nerve in my groin and my thigh went numb.Yeah, but it came out, yeah.

Do you hear OK?

I think so.He can hear all right, so it can't be too bad.Thanks, guys.