England vs New Zealand LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as England miss late penalty in dramatic All Blacks win
England 22-24 New Zealand: Mark Tele’a gave the All Blacks a late lead before George Ford hit the post with a penalty and put a last-gasp drop goal attempt wide in a dramatic Autumn Nations Series clash
England’s George Ford missed two last-gasp shots at goal and New Zealand held on to win a dramatic Autumn Nations Series opener 24-22 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
A brilliant solo try by wing Mark Tele’a, converted from the sideline by Damian McKenzie, saw New Zealand regain a two-point lead with three minutes to go. But then Anton Lienert-Brown was sin-binned for a head-on-head tackle and Ford lined up an angled penalty kick from 40 metres but it rebounded off the right post.
The hosts then got a scrum in the 22, with the sell-out crowd of 82,000 baying England on, but the All Blacks spoiled the scrum and a rushed drop goal attempt by Ford after the 80-minute hooter flew well wide.
It means New Zealand complete a hat-trick of wins against England this year, by a combined 10 points. Meanwhile, England missed out on a first home win over the All Blacks since 2012.
Relive the Autumn Nations Series opener in our live blog below:
KICK-OFF! England 0-0 New Zealand
And we’re off at the Allianz! This should be mega.
England v New Zealand - All Blacks perform haka
Ok, here we go... A frisson of tension in the Twickenham crowd. New Zealand perform the haka as per normal and the England fans bellow out ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ for the duration. Supporters doing their part!
As for the England team, they line up to face the All Blacks and walk forward a few steps to show they’re up for the challenge. During the Maori war dance, the All Blacks also walk forward, so the teams end up only a couple of yards from each other with just a few prone photographers lying between them... Wonder if they’re regretting their positioning....
All good theatre, now the business is about to start!
What is a 20-minute red card? How new rugby law will work during Autumn Nations Series
Let’s hope this isn’t relevant today but there’s a new law being trialled this autumn - the 20-minute red card. It has been used in the southern hemisphere but will now controversially be tried up north.
Here’s everything you need to know:
What is a 20-minute red card? How new rugby law will work during autumn Tests
The 20-minute red card has proved popular in Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship and will now be trialled in the northern hemisphere for the first time
England v New Zealand
The teams head out to the Twickenham turf. Anthems upcoming and then the eagerly-awaited haka. Rumours of a response from England after the week of controversy following Joe Marler’s comments but we’ll wait and see.
England v New Zealand
An update from our man on the ground at Allianz Stadium,Twickenham – Harry Latham-Coyle:
A wonderfully mild and dry early November day at the renamed Allianz Stadium, which is plastered in blue and white branding to mark the rather lucrative partnership with the insurance firm. Tenor Alfie Boe has just treated those in their seats to a stirring rendition of ‘Jerusalem’ – it's not quite the haka in terms of cultural meaning, but the early-arriving England fans certainly seemed to enjoy William Blake's words.
Joe Marler hugs Scott Robertson after haka controversy
A nice denouement to all the haka controversy this week. Instigator Joe Marler appears to have been forgiven for his comments by All Blacks boss Scott Robertson.
Heartwarming stuff... We still eagerly await England’s response to the haka, of course.
England vs New Zealand
We’re about 15 minutes from kick-off now and the players are getting ready for what should be a fascinating clash
England vs New Zealand match officials
Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)
ARs: Pierre Brousset (Fra) & Jordan Way (Aus)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (RSA)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (RSA)
‘Special’ Wallace Sititi looks to continue breakthrough year
One of New Zealand’s brightest new stars is young back row Wallace Sititi. The son of former Samoa international Semo, the 22-year-old was somewhat surprisingly preferred to Hoskins Sotutu in Scott Robertson’s squad after finding his footing with the Chiefs down the stretch of his debut season at Super Rugby level. But since stepping into a black jersey for the first time against Fiji in San Diego, the youngster hasn’t looked back.
The back row seems to move differently both in the open field and at the lineout, where his spring is a vital weapon in both attack and, particularly, defence. “He reminds me a bit of myself, he can play six, seven or eight really well,” Ardie Savea said this week. “He’s quality.
“The athleticism is just something he has got. That’s something you don’t want to tarnish. You want him to flourish and keep playing the way he’s playing. He’s been amazing coming into this environment. He’s found what works for him and is playing great footy – it’s a testament to himself and his preparation, the level-headedness and calmness he has. It’s special.”
The Henry Slade gamble that shows the centre has become one of England’s most important players
Henry Slade scrambled home from Spain last week in order to feature for Exeter in their defeat to Harlequins, the 54 minutes his first of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer. His rapid return indicates just how important he is to this England side.
The Henry Slade gamble that shows the centre has become one of England’s key figures
Left out of the World Cup squad little more than a year ago, the 31-year-old is now a vital figure with the England team - as his rapid return from injury for the Autumn Nations Series opener against the All Blacks shows
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