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:
New Zealand 5-0 England, 18 minutes
Oh dear - more woe for England. Joe Marler is off inside 20 minutes, meaning a Test debut for Fin Baxter, who will have to go for more than an hour against the All Blacks in New Zealand. Baptism of fire.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 5-0 England (Sevu Reece, 16 minutes)
A crossfield kick brings joy for New Zealand!
The All Blacks click into gear! George Furbank makes a thumping tackle on Rieko Ioane but is then caught on the wrong side, drawing another advantage. Onwards the hosts go, punching up the centre to condense the England defence. Damian McKenzie spots Sevu Reece all alone on the far right, clipping cleanly too him with his right boot, and the wing holds off Tommy Freeman to scurry into the corner.
New Zealand 0-0 England, 15 minutes
Advantage to New Zealand with England offside, permitting the hosts to chance to play. Damian McKenzie unveils some of his flicks and tricks and the All Blacks begin to build momentum, Mark Tele’a getting away from Alex Mitchell. Into the England 22 they go.
New Zealand 0-0 England, 13 minutes
A free kick against the All Blacks front row as they put the weight on too soon. That makes England’s clearing of their lines straightforward.
New Zealand 0-0 England, 11 minutes
But that’s a touch profligate from the All Blacks. Dalton Papali’i bursts away from the maul but can’t make many metres, and Ardie Savea fumbles as he tries to pick and drive.
New Zealand 0-0 England, 10 minutes
A statement scrum! Ethan de Groot gets the congratulatory head taps after driving Will Stuart back. New Zealand fancy the corner; Jordie Barrett finds it
New Zealand 0-0 England, 9 minutes
Better at scrum time from New Zealand, getting a nudge on and allowing Damian McKenzie to clear. That’s less pretty from England’s set piece, Jamie George making a complete mess of his throw with his jumpers getting their set-up wrong, too. Hmm.
Steve Borthwick and attack coach Richard Wigglesworth study the footage intently on their laptop. There’s no Kevin Sinfield in the coaches’ box today with the rugby league great back in England for Rob Burrow’s funeral.
New Zealand 0-0 England, 8 minutes
It’s a thumping start in Dunedin. England blitz up on New Zealand’s inside backs and Henry Slade gets to Jordie Barrett, sending his pass splatting into the deck. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso gathers and gallops for glory, but Slade’s hand had knocked on in contact. Some fascinating battles between the blitz and the All Blacks’ attack.
Missed penalty! New Zealand 0-0 England, 6 minutes
Ah. Not the start that Marcus Smith will have wanted, tugging his attempt from right of centre wide of the left-hand upright. It was 40 metres out but that’ll disappoint Smith.
New Zealand 0-0 England, 4 minutes
Jamie George hits Chandler Cunningham-South at the tail of the lineout, but opposite number Samipeni Finau thrusts a paw between Cunningham-South’s grasping fingers and jars the ball free. Alex Mitchell fumbles on the floor.
A first scrum entanglement. Down it goes immediately...penalty England. Nika Amashukeli is quick to his whistle with Tyrel Lomax deemed to have gone straight to deck. Marcus Smith points at the posts.
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