England vs New Zealand LIVE: Rugby result and reaction as England complete incredible comeback to snatch draw
England 25-25 New Zealand: Will Stuart scored two tries as England produced an incredible comeback from 25-6 down with nine minutes to go
England burgled an outrageous 25-25 draw from New Zealand after being out of the running for most of the match, a late brace from Will Stuart helping them to a result which will nonetheless do little to quieten coach Eddie Jones’s critics.
Flanker Dalton Papali’i opened the scoring for New Zealand after just four minutes, appearing to read an English strike play off the tail of their lineout and intercepting Jack van Poortvliet’s pass to run 45 metres untouched. They added a second minutes later, Codie Taylor bundling over from a lineout after England were penalised at the scrum, and the hosts were in bad shape at 0-14 down inside ten minutes.
With England’s attack misfiring all day while New Zealand were for the most part clinical, adding a third through Rieko Ioane, it took until the final 10 minutes for some encouragement for the fractious home fans.
With seemingly nothing to lose, England exploded out of nowhere, Marcus Smith skipping through a gap to set up a close-range Stuart try and Freddie Steward rounding off a free-flowing attack to add another. The Twickenham crowd were delirious when Stuart went over again in the final minute, with Smith converting to complete a remarkable comeback.
Relive all from the autumn international between England and the All Blacks below:
England 3-14 New Zealand, 26 minutes
England on the board, then, but New Zealand will be much more pleased with how these opening skirmishes have gone. England have looked punchy in phase play but have failed to capitalise fully on a couple of chances in the opposition 22 - the All Blacks, by contrast, were perfectly accurate with this maul:
PENALTY! ENGLAND 3-14 New Zealand (Owen Farrell penalty, 25 minutes)
Having spurned an opportunity for points earlier, Owen Farrell says it is time for England to get on the board - he kicks through the three points from the tee.
England 0-14 New Zealand, 23 minutes
A restless energy amongst the crowd gives way to a cry of heave as Jack van Poortvliet feeds the scrum. The English pack oblige, earning a penalty for a knee on the floor.
England 0-14 New Zealand, 21 minutes
The All Blacks fancy a length-of-the-field number. Brodie Retallick, their centurion this evening, gallops up the right like a giraffe in open savannah, deftly evading two tacklers.
But a loose pass from Richie Mo’unga travels forward. England scrum deep in New Zealand territory.
England 0-14 New Zealand, 20 minutes
England lineout inside the New Zealand 22. Efficiently done, and Sam Simmonds carries strongly.
More like it from the hosts. Energy and intensity from their carriers, Maro Itoje with a heavyweight left hook around the corner.
The ball spills free! Another chance goes awry for England in the shadow of New Zealand’s posts!
England 0-14 New Zealand, 19 minutes
New Zealand slow things down, taking their time over a couple of midfield rucks as their playmakers ponder the options. A high hoist it will be again, off the boot of Beauden Barrett in the direction of brother Jordie.
The ball tumbles free from tangled hands white and black, but Mathieu Raynal is bringing the players back - Aaron Smith advanced from an offside position and it will be an England penalty.
No try! England 0-14 New Zealand, 17 minutes
Rieko Ioane has scuppered his own score! It’s pretty clear on the replay, the centre around the neck of Owen Farrell at a ruck on the right after Mark Telea had been very, very well felled by Manu Tuilagi.
England 0-14 New Zealand, 16 minutes
New Zealand on the attack again! The ball is clearly out as Jack van Poortvliet dallies at the base, and Ardie Savea sternly investigates the scrum-half’s lower vertebrae, forcing it free.
Space for the All Blacks - Rieko Ioane crashes over! But has there been a neck roll in the build up?...
England 0-14 New Zealand, 15 minutes
Again New Zealand look to the air, Caleb Clarke once more the target with Jordie Barrett this time the deliverer. England have adjusted, though, the rather loftier Freddie Steward there to defuse Barrett’s bomb. England lineout 15 metres from their own line.
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