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:
TRY! New Zealand 13-14 ENGLAND (Tommy Freeman, 41 minutes)
A magnificent leap and Tommy Freeman scores!
The crossfield kick brings joy for England again! Marcus Smith, with a penalty in his pocket, stands one up for his big wing, reared a full-back of course and so good aerially. Freeman times his gather and jump superbly, clearing Mark Tele’a by a distance as he takes like a commanding goalkeeper above his head. Down he comes within flopping distance of the line - and the final kick of the half from Smith’s converting boot pushes England into a one-point lead!
New Zealand 13-7 England, 39 minutes
The All Blacks mishandle the restart, Maro Itoje again at the centre of things as the irrepressible lock ploughs on despite having played more than the minutes permitted of players in a single season by the RPA.
Alex Mitchell’s kick isn’t quite right, though. Damian McKenzie dots it down as it crosses the tryline and the All Blacks clear from a goal line drop out.
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 13-7 England (Damian McKenzie, 38 minutes)
Damian McKenzie slots his second penalty, watching the shot clock closely after last week’s error.
New Zealand 10-7 England, 36 minutes
Into the final five minutes of a half that has been scrappy and sloppy in places but immensely watchable. Marcus Smith fancies a scamper from deep but is well held by Dalton Papali’i, and then again by Codie Taylor as he jinks and jives inside his own half.
The All Blacks win the kicking exchange that follows.
New Zealand 10-7 England, 34 minutes
Funky feet from Rieko Ioane to beat a couple out on the left, but Maro Itoje shoots out of the line to make a tackle after Finlay Christie dallies and dithers at the base. That’s poor from the lock, though, failing to vacate the ruck space and thus meaning he scuppers Ben Earl’s excellent jackal - penalty to New Zealand and down into England’s 22 the forwards march.
Itoje atones! What a half he’s having, pilfering possession at the lineout with Codie Taylor struggling to hit the board at the oche.
New Zealand 10-7 England, 32 minutes
England have found solidity at that set piece, Fin Baxter and Will Stuart anchoring well. A knock-on in the tackle from Dalton Papali’i will give them a chance to do it all again five yards further infield.
Straight and true once more and England will try to play away. Or not! Superb from Finlay Christie, jumping on the back of Ben Earl before the England number eight can launch away and winning his side a penalty.
New Zealand 10-7 England, 30 minutes
The lineout is a brilliant battle so far. Scott Barrett gets his contest wrong on halfway, penalised for jumping across, but then makes a complete mess of England’s attempt to throw to the tail having booted the penalty down to the All Blacks 22. It did travel forwards off the New Zealand captain’s fingers, though, and England will have the scrum.
New Zealand 10-7 England, 27 minutes
Freddie Steward has been busy as a carrier so far, injecting himself often up from full-back to use his size to win the gain line. An untimely slip prevents him making progress in a wider channel, though, as England battle for momentum in the All Blacks half.
That’s better! Ollie Lawrence hits an angle at pace and wins the gain line. A grubber through looks aimless but Jordie Barrett slips as he tries to collect, forcing a hurried clearance from Finlay Christie.
New Zealand 10-7 England, 22 minutes
A bit of luck for England as Maro Itoje connects with Patrick Tuipulotu before the hoisted lineout forward comes to deck. It goes unspotted by the officials, and thus is excellent spoiling work once more from the talismanic lock. England’s scrum deep in All Blacks territory.
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 10-7 England (Damian McKenzie, 21 minutes)
The All Blacks fly half nudges his side in front.
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