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FWC: BEL v SEN from 7am, SN ExtraAll Blacks star confident time pressures won’t hinder performance against France
Elena Abbott • July 1st, 2026 9:39 am
Photo: Kerry Marshall/Photosport
The All Blacks begin a new era this Saturday as the Nations Championship kicks off with New Zealand looking to prove their title credentials against World Rugby's fourth-ranked French side.
Training began soon after the Super Rugby final, leaving players less than two weeks to get familiar with new faces, including a brand-new coaching lineup headlined by head coach Dave Rennie and senior assistant coach Neil Barnes.
“We've only been in since Wednesday last week. It's very limited time regardless of whether it was a new coach in or not," halfback Cam Roigard told Sport Nation Mornings.
"But it's been good, I really enjoy working with Mike Blair so far with the attack side of things. He's showing us how he wants us to play, but then we challenge him in some areas. I think that's how we get the best out of each other."
Neil Barnes (middle) with All Blacks coach Dave Rennie and selector Sir Graham Henry | Photo: Photosport
Fresh faces bring new talent, with German-born Blues player Anton Segner potentially facing his debut alongside Hurricanes champions Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby and Xavier Numia.
Roigard believes the squad is ready for the international season, saying skill sets and strategies are crucial for victory over the French.
“They're massive on keeping the ball alive, playing offloads.
"If we can dominate the collision, they're not getting go-forward momentum...that's going to be a great way of stopping them.
"We've seen in previous tests when we've got it wrong they're massive on ball scraps. If we're not accurate enough, they'll pounce on them. They've got massive threats out wide, and pretty razzly 10s and 9s, that if we give them time and space, they can create something out of nothing."
“Making sure we're going forward on defence and then staying in the collision to actually stop their ball, stop those offloads is going to be big for us,” he revealed.
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And with great expectation comes great pressure, with the All Blacks looking to retake the title of ‘best in the world’.
“We're expected to win every Test we play. And with that, we're trying to get better. We want to be the best in the world,” Roigard said.
The first match of the Nations Championship launches into action July 4 at 7.10pm (NZ Time).
Listen to the full interview below:
