New Zealand edge England by tightest of margins after Courtney Lawes’ late try disallowed at Twickenham
Relive all the action from the Quilter International at Twickenham
England fell agonisingly short of toppling New Zealand after a late try by Sam Underhill was controversially ruled out in a 16-15 defeat at Twickenham.
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Your support makes all the difference.Courtney Lawes charged down TJ Perenara's 76th-minute box kick and the ball fell to Underhill, who weaved full-back Damian McKenzie inside out to touch down in the left corner.
After reviewing the try with the TMO, however, referee Jerome Garces judged that Lawes had been in an offside position and awarded the All Blacks a penalty.
It was a marginal call and England responded with a late onslaught that failed to produce the crucial winning score, but it was a fine performance from Eddie Jones' men that will serve them well heading into next year's World Cup.
They led from the second minute until the 60th as early tries by Chris Ashton and Dylan Hartley helped them to a scarcely-believable 15-0 lead that was gradually eroded.
Beauden Barrett nudged the All Blacks in front with a penalty as England's play grew progressively worse having set off like a steam train, their forwards bristling with aggression.
The momentum shift began late in the first half and was confirmed by a terrific try from McKenzie.
PA
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Teams
England: Elliot Daly; Chris Ashton, Henry Slade, Ben Te’o, Jonny May; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Ben Moon, DYlan Hartley, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Brad Shields, Sam Underhill, Mark Wilson.
Replacements: Jamie George, Alec Hepburn, Harry Williams, Charlie Ewels, Courtney Lawes, Danny Care, George Ford, Jack Nowell.
New Zealand: Damian McKenzie; Ben Smith, Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Karl Tu'inukuafe, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks; Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Liam Squire, Ardie Savea, Kieran Read.
Replacements: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Richie Mo'unga, Ryan Crotty.
27 mins: Daly does brilliantly to keep an All Blacks penalty in play, but Slade is charged down and England are forced to clear their lines with the ball still in play. Barrett then tests Ashton out again with a kick behind, but the England wing is up to it as he dots the ball down for a 22.
Brad Shields is heading off for an HIA, with Courtney Lawes on in the back-row.
31 mins: More bad news for New Zealand as Sonny Bill Williams is forced off with injury, and that looks like him done for the day as he's shaking his head. Ryan Critty comes on at centre but that's a bad blow for the visitors, and to make matters worse Aaron Smith fires a box-kick straight into touch to give England good territory.
32 mins: It's a messy overthrow from Hartley, and the next phase is just as bad as Sinckler drops the high pass and May tries to clean up, only to be brilliantly turned over by Savea to win the penalty. Barrett finds touch on the England 10m line.
36 mins: The England defence stands up well to New Zealand's best phase yet, but Underhill is pinged for not releasing and Barrett has an easy shot at goal. It's turned down though! That's a huge call as Read wants a scrum 15m out from the England line. New Zealand need points here...
39 mins: With a penalty advantage in the bag, Smith whips the ball out to Barrett, who has Damian McKenzie on his inside shoulder and by committing Farrell and Slade, the full-back is given an easy dive over. Barrett converts and New Zealand cut the lead, as Shields comes back on for Lawes having passed the HIA. 15-7
40 mins: New Zealand immediately attack after Farrell kicks the restart straight into touch, and with the defence caught inside, Barrett is given a simple shot at goal to end the half. After such good work from England, this last five minutes has been very poor.
40 mins: Barrett kicks the goal from the 22 and the two teams head for the refuge of the changing rooms with the score:
England 15-10 New Zealand
H/T: Well what a start that was! England started like a house on fire, but New Zealand were all at sea for that opening 20 minutes and it played straight into England's hands. Barrett was all over the place kicking-wise and it gave the hosts plenty of ball to run back at them - and what about the defence?
Ashton had all the time and space needed to slide in for the opening try, and an almighty team effort shoved Hartley over for the second.
But eventually New Zealand woke up, and once they started to string the ball together into phase-play, they looked like their old selves as McKenzie slid over to reply. That late Barrett penalty could prove crucial, too, as New Zealand are only a score away from leading this.
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