New Zealand surge back to down England at the death in thriller
England remain without a home win against New Zealand since 2012 after they suffered an agonising 24-22 defeat to the All Blacks in a thrilling Autumn Nations Series encounter at Twickenham.
With Marcus Smith enjoying a fine kicking day, helping himself to 14 points, England looked poised for a famous win when they led 22-14 with 14 minutes left after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso had scored the home side’s only try of the day.
But New Zealand pulled their third straight win of the year against England out of the fire when Mark Tele’a went over for his second try on 76 minutes, before Damian McKenzie nailed a fabulous conversion from a tight angle to win it.
England still had the opportunity to claim victory in the dying seconds, but George Ford saw a penalty come back off a post before he then sent a drop kick wide in the last action of an absorbing battle.
While New Zealand head to Dublin to face Ireland in another blockbuster Test match on Friday evening, England must regroup before they host Australia at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday afternoon with both games live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Talking Point: So near, yet so far (again) for valiant England
Steve Borthwick’s England are making a habit out of suffering agonising near misses in 2024. They could easily have defeated France, and New Zealand three times this year, but instead must reflect on where it went wrong in the death throes of four brutal losses.
There was so much good about their defence and structure against the All Blacks, but failing to get the win over the line will provide little consolation in the post-mortem of how they squandered an eight-point lead late on to lose by two.
England’s Test match near misses
France 33-31 EnglandNew Zealand 16-15 EnglandNew Zealand 24-17 EnglandEngland 22-24 New ZealandPlayer of the Match: Wallace Sititi (New Zealand)
Exceptional display by the young All Blacks forward in helping to repel the drive and energy of a well organised England side, who came so close to ending their 12-year wait for a home win against the visitors.
Player Ratings
England: Furbank 6, Feyi-Waboso 7, Slade 7, Lawrence 7, Freeman 6, M Smith 8, Spencer 7, Genge 6, George (captain) 7, Stuart 6, Itoje 8, Martin 7, Cunningham-South 6, T Curry 6, Earl 6
New Zealand: Jordan 7, Tele’a 7, Ioane 7, J Barrett 7, Clarke 6, B Barrett 7, Ratima 7, Williams 7, Taylor 6, Lomax 7, S Barrett (captain) 7, Vaa’i7, Sititi 8, Cane 7, Savea 7
Match Highlights
9′ TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND! ENGLAND 3-7 NEW ZEALAND Mark Tele’a with a superb finish from out wide from the Wallace Sititi offload. England just didn’t have the numbers over, and the two points are added from Beauden Barrett. New Zealand lead 7-3. Brilliant move.
28′ TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND! ENGLAND 6-12 NEW ZEALAND Will Jordan races through the England defensive line. England cut wide open. Stunning pass from Beauden Barrett, and Jordan did the rest. So, so good from the All Blacks. They lead 12-6.
44′ TRY FOR ENGLAND! ENGLAND 19-14 NEW ZEALAND Smith with a superb run after intercepting the wayward New Zealand pass. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso applies the finishing touch to a breathtaking try. And Smith with the conversion to fire England five points ahead.
59′ ENGLAND MOVE FURTHER AHEAD! What a huge moment as Smith pokes another penalty over. Flawless from him today as England move 22-14 clear. Which is a two-score advantage when it looked like New Zealand had levelled at 19-19.
76′ TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND! ENGLAND 22-24 NEW ZEALAND! Mark Tele’a with a stunning, spinning finish right in the corner. Wonderful move and finish from the Jordan pass before McKenzie slams over the converstion. What a huge kick! All Blacks with a lead of two points. Phew! What a finale!
78′ FORD SLAMS THE PENALTY AGAINST THE POST! But the ball comes down off the post, and New Zealand have knocked it on. England with the put-in at the scrum. Is Ford going to have a drop goal chance to win it?
80′ FINAL RESULT: ENGLAND 22-24 NEW ZEALAND Ford sees the drop goal come off his right boot at the wrong angle. Always heading wide, and that is the final action of the match. Cam Roigard doing well to close down Ford. Phew! What a finish. All Blacks edge a thriller.
Key Stat
The All Blacks have now won 20 away matches against England.
Stream the Gallagher Premiership, 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women’s Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
