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 0-14 New Zealand, 13 minutes
Can England puncture this All Blacks maul defence? It is now schooled by Jason Ryan, whose Crusaders have proved so effective at countering the drive in the last few years.
They cannot! An issue on set-up, with lifters in front of the jumper as he comes to floor and a penalty to New Zealand.
England 0-14 New Zealand, 12 minutes
England come to life for the first time in this contest. Manu Tuilagi and Ellis Genge carry with typical fury, with Jonny May nearly slithering free of Mark Telea, too. Kyle Sinckler twice rumbles with intent.
New Zealand are offside. Penalty to England, and a choice to be made - it’s eminently kickable but 100-capper Owen Farrell will direct his forwards to the corner.
England 0-14 New Zealand, 11 minutes
New Zealand have clearly identified something in the English wing defence, Jack Nowell again targeted with a cross-kick. This time the Exeter wing does rather better, hitting Caleb Clarke as he lands and buffeting him into touch.
TRY! England 0-14 NEW ZEALAND (Codie Taylor try, 9 minutes)
A rumbling black mass and Codie Taylor is over!
Muscular and meaty from New Zealand, driving right through the English maul defence. Scott Barrett barks orders as the periscope at the centre of it, roaring his delight as Codie Taylor just about manages to get the ball down.
Jordie Barrrett thumps his conversion through the uprights from a left-of-centre position - New Zealand’s start gets even better.
England 0-7 New Zealand, 8 minutes
Penalty to New Zealand. Kyle Sinckler is ruled to have hinged on the engagement of the first scrum.
The All Blacks go to the corner.
England 0-7 New Zealand, 7 minutes
Real signs of danger for England here. Richie Mo’unga lifts a well-judged cross-kick to Caleb Clarke, who takes in comfort and matadors away from Jack Nowell’s bull-like charge, advancing into the England 22.
Marcus Smith makes a firm tackle but New Zealand keep the ball in play, and England knock on.
England 0-7 New Zealand, 6 minutes
Rather telegraphed from England, that, and very sharp from Papali’i to read it. He’s been excellent in recent weeks, the openside, and is really now pushing regular skipper Sam Cane for the starting spot.
The All Blacks will feed a scrum after a knock on at the base.
TRY! England 0-7 NEW ZEALAND (Dalton Papali’i try, 4 minutes)
Intercepted and Dalton Papali’i will canter away!
A gift from England. Their lineout throw is long, over the 15-metre line, permitting New Zealand’s defence to advance. Papali’i rushes up to snatch Jack van Poortvliet’s pass out of the air, puts his foot down and gets New Zealand off to an excellent start with a slide beneath the posts.
England 0-0 New Zealand, 3 minutes
An exasperated sigh from the home fans as Jack van Poortvliet launches a relatively aimless box kick after England had won turnover ball inside the New Zealand half. Jordie Barrett collects and claims a mark.
England 0-0 New Zealand, 2 minutes
Scott Barrett at the tail is the target of Codie Taylor’s first lineout throw, the ball not clean but Dalton Papali’i able to clear up.
Fast pla from New Zealand, with both centres to the fore. Rieko Ioane carries off Jordie Barrett’s pass and then the youngs Barrett makes a half-break.
England regather, though, and force a knock on, allowing Marcus Smith to hook a clearance long.
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