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 13-17 England, 50 minutes
Changes for England. Tom Curry replaces fellow Kamikaze Kid Sam Underhill on the openside, while Dan Cole surpasses Jason Leonard as the second most-capped male England player of all time as Will Stuart takes leave. Only podcast partner Ben Youngs ahead of him now.
PENALTY! New Zealand 13-17 ENGLAND (Marcus Smith, 49 minutes)
And Marcus Smith capitalises from the tee to extend England’s advantage.
New Zealand 13-14 England, 48 minutes
Scott Barrett seems rather confused as referee Nic Berry awards a penalty to the All Blacks before immediately reversing it having got a call from his official. Ooh, that seems slightly soft, Dalton Papali’i with a slight nudge into Henry Slade to send the centre tumbling over the ruck, the sort of collision that happens all of the time but penalised here as it left England short of a cleanout man.
New Zealand 13-14 England, 46 minutes
Frustrating for England. Ollie Lawrence makes initial metres with a powerful surge, but the intelligent injection of the busy Mark Tele’a into the defensive line salvages the situation for New Zealand, the wing’s inquisitive limbs interrogating Jamie George and drawing a slip of the tongue from the England captain. Knocked on seven metres from the All Blacks’ line - a chance missed.
New Zealand 13-14 England, 44 minutes
A second penalty against New Zealand in quick succession, Rieko Ioane shooting a quizzical look at one of Nic Berry’s assistants after being pinged for offside.
Henry Slade’s raking left boot sends England down into the hosts’ 22.
New Zealand 13-14 England, 43 minutes
Freddie Steward roams like a Saturday morning rambler but finds the bridleway blocked by Ethan de Groot’s burl. Steward is bumped on to his bottom by the big prop.
Into a kicking battle. Jordie Barrett hares after a hoist but tackles Marcus Smith in the air.
Second half...
Might the All Blacks go to Beauden Barrett early to try to solidify their backfield? He was excellent off the bench last week to steady things in the second half. For England, meanwhile, Sam Underhill had a bit of blood on his face at teh end of the first half, but is back out there with extra strapping for the start of the second.
A reminder that the hosts have not been beaten here since 1994. England are 40 minutes from ending that unbeaten run at 48 matches.
Back underway at Eden Park!
HT: New Zealand 13-14 England
The All Blacks will feel confident they can turn the screw at scrum time at some stage, but both teams have struggled for clean lineout ball with Maro Itoje and Scott Barrett to the fore as defensive jumpers. It’s been a brilliant contest between those two both at the set-piece and in open play, two of the finest, most complete tight forwards in the world right at the top of their game.
HT: New Zealand 13-14 England
Well well well. The All Blacks were one defensive set away from going down the tunnel relatively content with their half, but that Tommy Freeman gather and grounding has rather changed the complexion. The tourists would have been fearful when Mark Tele’a scurried over early on, but they’ve stayed in the fight, capitalising on some All Blacks profligacy to strike twice on the back of Marcus Smith’s deadly, delicate boot - can they hold on to pull off a famous win?
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