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:
Ireland 3-0 Australia, 20 mins
Tom Wright jinks his way between a couple of defenders to take the Wallabies into enemy territory. But again, the Aussies turn the ball over and Ireland can exit, which they do through Gibson-Park’s box kick.
But Caelan Doris is offside in front of the kick and the Wallabies will take a shot at the posts.
Ireland 3-0 Australia, 18 mins
Again a scrappy lineout but it falls the Australian way and they are just outside the Irish 22 but White knocks on in contact to give Ireland the scrum.
It’s been messy round the breakdown so far. In fact, this game has been pretty scrappy in general.
Ireland 3-0 Australia, 16 mins
O’Mahony pinged for a high cleanout and Australia have a platform in Irish territory.
Ireland 3-0 Australia, 14 mins
Should have mentioned earlier but Jordan Petaia is on in the centres for Australia after Hunter Paisami took a knock in the early going and couldn’t recover.
Clever kick over the head of Tom White by Gibson-Park pins the Wallabies back and gives them a lineout 10 metres from their own line. It’s not clean but the knock-on comes from an Irish arm, so now it’s a scrum for the visitors.
Ireland 3-0 Australia, 11 mins
Ireland cough up the kick-off but Australia immediately pinged again for a neck roll at the ruck just outside the Irish 22. Their discipline has been pretty poor on this tour and it’s already costing them again.
Ireland relieve the pressure with a kick to touch and have the lineout in Australian territory
PENALTY! IRELAND 3-0 Australia (Crowley, 9 mins)
This time the pressure tells for Ireland as Stuart McCloskey makes a big carry and Australia are pinged at the breakdown just outside the 22. A kickable penalty for Jack Crowley, right of centre - can he knock over a nerve-settler?
Yes he can! Slotted with minimal fuss and Ireland lead. That will do wonders for the youngster’s confidence you’d think.
Ireland 0-0 Australia, 7 mins
Nice sidestep by Beirne makes a few yards and Ireland then enter the Aussie 22 for the first time as Crowley has a dart.
Great turnover by Michael Hooper on the deck! He nicks the ball cleanly and Australia can clear. Not a great kick, meaning Jimmy O’Brien can run it back into the Wallabies half and Mack Hansen then makes good ground down the right wing but his grubber through is collected. Australia clear up towards halfway
Ireland 0-0 Australia, 5 mins
Better from Ireland as they exchange kicks with Australia and then Tadhg Beirne gets over the ball brilliantly at the ruck to win a penalty just inside the opposition half.
Crowley kicks for the corner but it’s not a great kick - he only makes limited ground, not even into the 22, although it is an Ireland lineout at least
NO TRY! Ireland 0-0 Australia, 4 mins
Australia opt to tap and go from the penalty. Good defence from Ireland initially although decent carries by Slipper and Valentini.
And then Nic White slides though a hole and dives over for a try! What a start by the Wallabies.
Ah, but after a TMO check, it’s a neck roll at the ruck by the Wallabies on Josh van der Flier and the try is chalked off. A let-off for Ireland
Ireland 0-0 Australia, 3 mins
The Wallabies win the penalty off the scrum and this is a strong start for the visitors.
Some news on Johnny Sexton’s injury, which is the big news so far. He suffered a calf injury in the warm-up and was forced to withdraw ahead of kick-off. What a huge chance for Jack Crowley at No 10. An incredible talent but limited international experience - he’ll relish this opportunity.
The back-up fly-half slot has never really been solidified for Ireland. Joey Carbery has shown flashes but is now injured, so Jack Crowley - let’s see what you can do.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments