New Zealand v England LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as All Blacks secure narrow win in brutal first Test
New Zealand 16-15 England: Damian McKenzie’s late penalty secured the All Blacks a tight victory in Dunedin
England were denied a famous victory in a brutal first Test as Damian McKenzie’s boot gave New Zealand victory in Dunedin.
Seeking only a third win in history over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil, England defended superbly and appeared to be on course when Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored just after half-time.
But the hosts, as they do often, found a way, shutting the game down and upping the physicality in a hard-hitting encounter. McKenzie, having missed twice from the tee in the first half, showed his composure as the fly half struck two second-half penalties to nudge the All Blacks in front entering the final 15 minutes.
And showing all of their experience, New Zealand seldom allowed England another shot at snatching the win, ensuring that they take a 1-0 lead into the second Test at Eden Park in Auckland next week as they kicked off a new era under head coach Scott Robertson with a win.
Re-live all of the action from New Zealand vs England below:
England suffer agonising defeat as All Blacks snatch victory in first Test
England fell agonisingly short of registering a famous victory over New Zealand as a narrow second-half lead ebbed away in a 16-15 loss in Dunedin.
Steve Borthwick’s tourists were kept in the first half by their spirited defence as the All Blacks threatened to cut loose and although their blitz system was open to exploitation, they were able to hustle a 10-10 scoreline heading into half-time.
Fly-half Marcus Smith endured a poor day off the kicking tee but his running skills were at the heart of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s 47th-minute try that nudged them 15-10 ahead in a gripping series opener at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
England have triumphed on New Zealand soil on only two previous occasions and joining the heroes of 1973 and 2003 was the tantalising prospect before them as they pressed for another score.
But the All Blacks crept back in front through two penalties from Damian McKenzie to reward their superiority at the breakdown.
England suffer agonising defeat as All Blacks snatch victory in first Test
New Zealand 16-15 England: Two penalties from Damian McKenzie sunk England as the All Blacks fought back to win Scott Robertson’s first game in charge
Steve Borthwick speaks to Sky Sports after England’s defeat
“It was fine margins. You look at the second half today, it was a real arm-wrestle on the field. Immense credit to New Zealand for taking their opportunities and getting over the line. We’ll have a real look at it, a debrief and look at how we move forward.
“In any game of rugby, both teams enter the game with a plan and try to impose that plan on the opposition. The same thing happened in the second half. I thought New Zealand’s bench was very good today and played a very smart second half.
“I don’t think there was much in it. Neither team really got into the opposition 22 very often. At that point, you are just trying to keep the pressure on the opposition. Every week is important for us. We’ll recover from this game, take all of the learnings and make sure we maximise every day next week.”
All Blacks edge brutal first Test as England denied famous win
How much better will the All Blacks be next week? For a first effort under a new coaching staff, their set-piece and defence were very impressive, and you felt like they have more layers to add to their attacking shape. And now England have to go to Eden Park, where New Zealand haven’t been beaten since 1994.
All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett on a first win as captain
“I’m immensely proud for the group to come together in ten days and win against a pretty sharp England side. It was a good reminder of what Test rugby is like. There’s different layers of pressure and I think we adapted pretty well, managed to grind back in it and get our noses in front.”
And Maro Itoje is also snared for a chat with the broadcaster
“There were probably a few areas [where we fell short]. Our scrum probably wasn’t good enough, we gave the ball away too easily and didn’t exit as well as we wanted to. It was a good effort, but we just need to be better.
“We wanted to raise the intensity after half time and I think we probably did that. But we let a few inaccuracies slip into our game and allowed us to get back in it. We know the All Blacks are a good team, they play good rugby and are a physical team. They just did what they did very well.
“Every game is an experience and something to build from. We were one point from winning that game. If a result happens in the final phase of the game, it could go the other way. We’ll lick our wounds and get better. Eden Park is a great stadium so we will relish the opportunity to go again.”
England captain Jamie George gives his reaction to Sky Sports
“First and foremost, I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved and the way we went out and attacked the game. We’ll do a lot of honest work this week and make sure we go to Eden Park next week fully prepared.
“We’re playing rugby for England. The big message from me was that we wanted to make people back home very proud, and I think we did that with our effort. We’ll learn, we’ll grow, we’ll get better.
“Losing a player of Joe’s calibre is always tough but I’m incredibly happy for Fin Baxter. What an amazing debut he had. A massive shout out to Ollie Sleightholme for getting his debut too. We’ve got to learn fast, and we’ll make sure we do that. There will be a few sore bodies but it is a really exciting week for us.”
FT: New Zealand 16-15 England
A brutal and brilliant first Test that the All Blacks have just about emerged on top of. So many positives for England, but full credit to New Zealand for shutting the game down in that final quarter, even if they never managed to move through the gears with the tourists’ scramble defence simply outstanding.
The hosts take a 1-0 lead to Auckland next week.
New Zealand 16-15 England, 81 minutes
Penalty to New Zealand! Tupou Vaa’i and Dalton Papali’i force a turtled Englishman to hold on!
The All Blacks have clung on!
New Zealand 16-15 England, 80 minutes
Penalty to England! Finlay Christie looks to be pinpoint in his breakdown scavenging but Dalton Papali’i is penalised for obstructing one of England’s clearout men. Into the All Blacks half Steve Borthwick’s side go with chance of snatching victory!
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