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 0-0 England, 1 minute
A fine take from All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett as the opening kick off lands in his general vicinity, allowing New Zealand to clear. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso runs it back with interest but Chandler Cunningham-South is belted back by Finlay Christie et al. to earn New Zealand a turnover.
KICK OFF!
Nic Berry blasts on his whistle, Marcus Smith hoists into the Auckland night - the second Test is underway at Eden Park!
New Zealand vs England
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the second Test between New Zealand and England in Auckland.
The All Blacks secured a narrow, nervy victory in Dunedin last week to take a 1-0 lead in this two-match series, and now return to a venue where they haven’t been beaten in 30 years.
England, then, are up against it as they bid to square affairs in Auckland, but Steve Borthwick’s side will have been encouraged by how they limited their hosts in the first Test and will be full of belief that they can pull off a famous victory.
Kick-off at Eden Park is at 8.05am BST.
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