Improved All Blacks beat France 43-17 in the 2nd test to seal a series win

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Ardie Savea scored a try and led the All Blacks superbly Saturday to a 43-17 win over France in the second test and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-test series.

Savea took over the captaincy from the injured Scott Barrett and under his leadership the All Blacks produced a more intense and physical performance than in the first test in which they scraped home 31-27.

The All Blacks dominated through their forwards against a French team that had 10 changes to its starting lineup from the first test and still lacked most of its Six Nations stars.

“This week we talked about our defense and we wanted to bring fire in that area and we did that in most parts of the game,” Savea said. “I proud of our boys for just sticking with it and doing a good job tonight.”

With greater control of possession, New Zealand was able to set a higher tempo than in the first test and play more often in the French half. With quick ball and an ability to dominate the collision area and offload in tackles, New Zealand scored six tries on two.

Four of those tries came in the first half and only two in the second in which the All Blacks were less clinical.

The All Blacks were dangerous around the fringes of breakdowns through Savea and Cam Roigard and unstoppable when they got the ball wide to fullback Will Jordan and winger Rieko Ioane who scored tries.

The credit belonged mostly to the forwards who fully atoned for a submissive first test performance.

After a penalty to Beauden Barrett, Roigard scored the first try of the match in the 14th minute when he linked with Savea who broke on the blindside.

Savea scored in the 23rd minute, pivoting away a lineout drive to touch down while New Zealand was reduced to 14 men with Beauden Barrett in the sin-bin.

Hooker Codie Taylor scored from another lineout drive in the 23rd minute, then backrower Tupou Vaa'i ended the first half with a try from a superb handling movement which involved Savea, Ioane and center Billy Proctor.

France made five changes at the start of the second half and produced better rugby and their first try in the 47th minute through fullback Leo Barre.

The All Blacks responded with tries to Jordan in the 54th minute and Ioane in the 62nd, again from slick handling.

France had the last say when they scored in the 77th minute through Ireland-born lock Joshua Brennan. But New Zealand regained the Dave Gallagher Trophy for the first time in seven years.

The third test will be played at Hamilton next weekend.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Emilien Gailleton of France is tackled by New Zealand's Emoni Narawa during the second rugby union international between the All Blacks and France in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Masanori Udagawa/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Codie Taylor reacts after scoring a try during the second rugby union international between the All Blacks and France in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Kerry Marshall /Photosport via AP)

Leo Barre of France scores a try during the second rugby union international between the All Blacks and France in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Elias Rodriguez/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Ardie Savea breaks a tackle as he makes a run during the second rugby union international between the All Blacks and France in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Kerry Marshall /Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Tupou Vaa'i reacts after scoring a try during the second rugby union international between the All Blacks and France in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Elias Rodriguez/Photosport via AP)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Morez Johnson Jr. scored a career-high 29 points, including 17 in the first half, and No. 2 Michigan beat No. 24 Southern California 96-66 on Friday night.

Roddy Gayle Jr. added 12 points for the Wolverines (13-0, 3-0 Big Ten), and Will Tschetter, Trey McKenney and L.J. Cason each scored 10.

Michigan is off to its best start since it won 17 straight games to start the 2018-19 season.

Jaden Brownell scored 16 points and Erza Ausar added 15 for the Trojans (12-2, 1-2), whose only previous loss was by eight points against Washington on Dec. 6. Chad Baker-Mazara, who came into the game averaging 21 points, was hampered by early foul trouble and finished with 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting.

Michigan starting guard Nimari Burnett was helped from the court with 16:25 left after falling during a battle under the basket. He went down to the floor and appeared to be bleeding above his eyebrow and holding his ankle. He sat on the bench the rest of the night.

The Wolverines bolted out to an 11-0 lead thanks to a defense that forced six early turnovers. USC got within five points twice in the first half and Michigan responded with a 32-19 run to build a 49-31 halftime advantage.

USC got no closer the rest of the way.

USC: At No. 9 Michigan State on Monday.

Michigan: Visits Penn State on Tuesday.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Michigan center Aday Mara, front, drives against Southern California center Gabe Dynes, back, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)