New Zealand v England LIVE rugby: Result as Borthwick’s side suffer heartbreak against All Blacks in thriller
New Zealand 24-17 England: The tourists were attempting to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park for the first time in 30 years
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England narrowly missed out on becoming the first side to conquer the All Blacks at Eden Park in 30 years as New Zealand secured a 24-17 victory in Auckland.
The hosts clung on in the final moments to make certain of a 2-0 series victory after their bench made a decisive impact to swing the contest the home side’s way. Beauden Barrett sparked his team into life on the hour, creating a second try for the impressive Mark Tele’a and turning the screw with his intelligent kicking game.
But Steve Borthwick will rue the missed opportunities of a tour that showed the promising future at his side’s fingertips. Having been pipped by a point in Dunedin, England never quite had enough in the final quarter to get over the line in Auckland having seemed in control with Marcus Smith influential from the tee and in open play.
Two crossfield kicks from fly half Smith created tries for both England wings in the first half, but it was not enough to breach the All Blacks’ fortress as the hosts held firm in the final minute. The two sides will tussle again at Twickenham in November.
Re-live all of the action from New Zealand vs England below:
New Zealand 24-17 England, 79 minutes
Stolen by Asafo Aumua! Brilliant jackalling from the replacement hooker two metres from his own line as he wins a vital turnover!
Beauden Barrett boots to touch but Marcus Smith tosses it quickly to himself. England explore left then right, with a penalty coming if they need it. They will, Ben Earl knocking on. A minute to play - this is it.
New Zealand 24-17 England, 77 minutes
Ollie Sleightholme scorches a trail! Sevu Reece is burned by the replacement England wing, making a very quick All Black appear as if he’s trudging through sludge.
England are awarded a penalty in the All Blacks 22 for a tackle off the ball from Scott Barrett. To the corner in search of the score the tourists need...
New Zealand 24-17 England, 76 minutes
Off England go in search of a try to square it, but Henry Slade’s kick isn’t quite right, Damian McKenzie scuttling across to cover and booting for touch. Anywhere will do, but that’s a good’un from the fly half, out beyond halfway, from where the visitors will launch again.
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 24-17 England (Damian McKenzie, 75 minutes)
A kiss off the left-hand upright but it’s safely through. The All Blacks lead by seven as we enter the final five minutes at Eden Park.
New Zealand 21-17 England, 74 minutes
A mighty All Blacks scrum! Fletcher Newell’s ear is covered in claret but the replacement tighthead won’t care, Bevan Rodd folded in by Newell’s shove and penalised.
And that will help New Zealand out, too. Maro Itoje tries to get after Scott Barrett at the lineout, but his reach across as the All Blacks captain comes down is deemed illegal. Alex Coles had infringed, too - three points here from Damian McKenzie’s boot would surely take the prospect of an England win off the table...
New Zealand 21-17 England, 73 minutes
Time ticks away as Nic Berry is forced to reset the scrum twice. Jamie George, who will see out the remainder with Theo Dan failing his HIA, has a calm word with the Australian referee.
New Zealand 21-17 England, 71 minutes
Ben Earl punches the air as Bevan Rodd makes a mess of an All Blacks ruck. England’s scrum just inside the New Zealand half after an 11th handling error of the night for the hosts. Scott Robertson takes a nervous gulp of water in the coaches’ box.
New Zealand 21-17 England, 70 minutes
Ollie Sleightholme, Bevan Rodd, Fin Smith and Alex Coles are on for England; Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Fin Baxter, Marcus Smith and Chandler Cunningham-South off.
In fact, the Harlequins fly half is returning as the Smiths unite - Freddie Steward is off for an HIA so Marcus Smith will go to full-back.
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 21-17 England (Damian McKenzie, 69 minutes)
Damian McKenzie extends New Zealand’s lead.
New Zealand 18-17 England, 67 minutes
New Zealand are absolutely on it now. Beauden Barrett so nearly scores something spectacular, twice chipping and chasing but not quite able to collect cleanly under pressure from Freddie Steward. Sevu Reece also menaces in the movement but the All Blacks will settle for a penalty.
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