England’s George Ford (left) looks dejected at the final whistle
George Ford’s last-gasp missed drop goal condemned England to yet another defeat at the hands of New Zealand as the All Blacks claimed a thrilling 24-22 victory at Allianz Stadium.
After Joe Marler’s comments dominated the pre-match build-up, England accepted the challenge of the New Zealand haka, stepping up to the halfway line in an emotionally-charged exchange between the sides in front of a baying Twickenham crowd.
The first half belonged to the All Blacks, with only four penalties from the boot of Marcus Smith keeping England in contention after tries from Mark Tele’a and Will Jordan.
Fly-half Smith would spearhead England’s second-half fightback, his interception laying the foundations for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to cross the whitewash before another penalty moved Steve Borthwick’s men eight points clear with 20 minutes remaining.
But the pendulum would swing back in New Zealand’s favour as a Damien McKenzie penalty moved them to within a score before the Tele’a’s brilliant finish in the corner moved the All Blacks back ahead.
England had two bites at ending their 12-year wait for an elusive victory over New Zealand on home soil, but Ford’s late penalty hit the post before his drop goal drifted wide in the final act of a pulsating Autumn Nations Series opener.
All Blacks see off England challenge to haka
Marler’s comments on the haka were resoundingly rejected by the 82,000-capacity crowd as a stirring rendition of ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ providing the backing track to England’s confrontation of the All Blacks’ Maori war dance on the halfway line before kick-off.
It propelled England into the game in which they won the early aerial kick duel, with a Smith penalty firing them into the lead.
New Zealand burst to life out of nowhere, the impressive Wallace Sititi drawing two tacklers to the ball before an outrageous off-load out of the back of his hand found winger Tele’a, who had too much pace for covering prop Ellis Genge as he touched down in the corner.
Wallace Sititi’s off-load set up the All Blacks’ opening try
Smith responded immediately with another penalty which kicked England back into gear, with Maro Itoje and Ben Spencer breaking through the All Blacks line in pursuit of their first try.
But New Zealand would pull further clear when Beauden Barrett stretched the England defensive line and intelligently released Jordan through on to the exposed Genge, who was helpless again when tasked with containing such speed.
Smith kept England within reach with another two penalties, as New Zealand led 14-12 at the break, before orchestrating a stunning second-half turnaround within four minutes of the restart.
Marcus Smith’s interception set up Immanuel Feyi-Waboso for England’s only try
The England fly-half intercepted Cortez Ratima’s pass, raced clear and showed great awareness to dummy and pass to George Furbank, who shifted the ball on for the pacey Feyi-Waboso to complete the breakaway for England’s first try.
Smith looked to have single-handedly shaped England’s first win over New Zealand at Twickenham since 2012 when he knocked over his fifth penalty moments after the All Blacks had a breakaway Beauden Barrett try ruled out for a deliberate knock-on.
But after McKenzie’s penalty had moved the All Blacks within range, Tele’a touched down in the corner and the replacement fly-half slotted a pressure kick from the touchline before Ford squandered two gilt-edged chances for victory.
Player of the match – Wallace Sititi
Winning this award ahead of two-try Mark Tele’a tells you everything you need to know about this imperious performance from a 22-year-old with the rugby world at his feet.
His sensational offload for Tele’a’s opening try unpicked England’s defence, and whether it was at the breakdown, in the tackle or in open play, his impact on the game grew with a succession of crucial interventions.
Line-ups
England: Furbank; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; Smith, Spencer; Genge, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham-South, Curry, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Baxter, Cole, Isiekwe, Curry, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford.
New Zealand: Jordan; Great, John, J. Barrett, Clarke; B. Barrett, Ratima; Williams, Taylor, Lomax, S. Barrett (capt), See, Stiti, Cane, Savea.
Replacements: Aumua, Tuungafasi, Tosi, Tuipulotu, Roigard, Lienert-Brown, McKenzie
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
What’s next?
England’s Autum Nations Series continues against Australia at Allianz Stadium on November 9 (kick-off 3.10pm), while New Zealand face Ireland in Dublin on November 8 (kick-off 8.10pm).
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TVstreaming service NOW and the Sky Sports appgiving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
