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 6-25 New Zealand, 71 minutes
It is very, very close, but I’m not sure that Will Stuart has managed to get that down.
Or has he? Richie Mo’unga arrived to knock the ball back towards the field of play, but the officials seem to think the ball is on the line as it hits the grass...
YELLOW CARD! Beauden Barrett is sent to the sin bin! England 6-25 New Zealand, 71 minutes
Time for a late twist? Marcus Smith makes a brilliant break up the left and Beauden Barrett’s failure to release before contesting means he will spend the remainder of this contest on the naughty step.
Mathieu Raynal wants to check a potential grounding, though. Might England have got the ball down?
DROP GOAL! England 6-25 NEW ZEALAND (Beauden Barrett drop goal, 71 minutes)
New Zealand win two more penalties from lineouts on the right.
With advantage coming, Beauden Barrett says why not? His drop goal is perfect. New Zealand extend their lead.
England 6-22 New Zealand, 68 minutes
England kick to the corner.
Down comes Maro Itoje in a heap with a blast of Mathieu Raynal’s whistle...penalty New Zealand’s way! The crowd voice their disapproval but the second row was thrown across into the All Blacks’ defensive lineout - how profligate have England been in the 22 this evening?
Guy Porter has replaced Jack Nowell on England’s right wing.
England 6-22 New Zealand, 67 minutes
Nearly a much-needed strike for England! Off the top of the lineout, Owen Farrell produces a lovely inside ball to Jonny May, who in turn finds Tom Curry on his shoulder after being knocked slightly off kilter.
The All Blacks somehow prevent Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola scoring up the blindside, but infringe.
With advantage, Marcus Smith kicks crossfield for Freddie Steward...but Beauden Barrett manages to do just enough to prevent the full-back gathering.
England 6-22 New Zealand, 66 minutes
Richie Mo’unga cleverly jinks away from Ben Youngs as the scrum-half tries to charge down his clearance, affording him the time to clear in greater comfort.
Jack Willis is on for Sam Simmonds in the England back row.
England 6-22 New Zealand, 64 minutes
Twickenham boos - another knock on in a promising position from England! They hadn’t really threatened the New Zealand defence in six phases, all higgledy piggledy as they tried to force the ball wide having failed to collapse the interior All Blacks defence. Marcus Smith knocks on as he goes it alone with an immediate transfer to men waiting on the left very much cut off.
Dave Ribbans replaces Jonny Hill in the second row. Hill’s dropped head shakes from side to side as he leaves the field.
England 6-22 New Zealand, 62 minutes
New Zealand are now kicking almost every possession away, in a position of such strength with 20 minutes to go.
Freddie Steward’s high bomb isn’t particularly easy on the eye but the full-back wins the ball back in the air. A wide pass forces Henry Slade to stoop and collect, the replacement somehow clutching at his toes, and New Zealand are slow to vacate the space near Ben Youngs. They are duly penalised; England return to the opposition red zone.
England 6-22 New Zealand, 60 minutes
At last Twickenham is allowed a chance to excite with Jonny May given the ball in the open field. May angles in and then cuts upfield between a pair of tiring New Zealand forwards.
But the All Blacks’ own fast men combine to win a penalty. Caleb Clarke takes May at the knees, sending him sliding towards Mark Telea, who latches over the top. May can only cling on.
England 6-22 New Zealand, 59 minutes
A vital intervention from Ardie Savea! Crikey is the number eight good, everywhere in the latest defensive stand from New Zealand, bouncing back to his feet to pick his moment to pick through the bits of a messy English ruck and win a holding on penalty.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments