England came on a mission to make history, but ended up trapped in the same old story of defeat and despair against the All Blacks in New Zealand. It was so close, yet so far away – again.
Ten years after the one-point loss at Forsyth Barr Stadium, the same painful outcome was seen at the same venue. Steve Borthwick’s national team were confident they could cause a shock and that was to be expected when they led 15-10 early in the second half. But even an ill-prepared All Blacks are still All Blacks and their innate spirit and talent enabled them to turn the tide and mark Scott Robertson’s first game as manager with a narrow, nerve-racking victory.
England’s goal was only a third victory over the hosts on these shores, but Borthwick’s team could not claim the Kiwis here in 2024 as their predecessors had done in 1973 and 2003. Those remain England’s two late-season highlights and it is now hard to imagine such a feat being achieved again in a week’s time.
Their place in folklore was denied – entry barred. The club for English players who have defeated these rivals in their forbidden domain will remain extremely exclusive
Another goal for Jamie George and Co was to successfully launch an epic weekend of sport. They were determined to fly the flag far from home, perhaps as inspiration for competing compatriots. Instead, it’s now up to the footballers, tennis players and racing drivers to boost the nation’s post-election mood.
England suffered a narrow defeat to New Zealand in the first Test of the two-match series
Damian McKenzie’s late penalty secured victory for the home side, who were already 15-10 down in the second half
Steve Borthwick’s team had hoped to take revenge for a one-point defeat at the same stadium 10 years ago
The immediate outlook for the tourists is bleak. While the All Blacks could kick off their new era by retaining the Hillary Shield, England have to look ahead to next weekend. If they are to avoid a 2-0 series defeat, they must somehow end a 30-year era of Kiwi self-rule at Eden Park.
It’s hard to see how that’s possible after England missed their chance to put their opponents to bed here in New Zealand’s chilly south. The visitors failed to capitalise on the fact that they had so much in their favour; better preparation meant they were nominally more settled and grooved. The All Blacks hadn’t played since the World Cup, they had a new coach, a new captain and were without so many lost icons. Their build-up had been hasty, but their class still shone through.
Robertson and the entire host nation knew this was a dangerous start to a new era, so the fact that they came through so well suggests an impressive job has been done in an incredibly short space of time. It also suggests that all the old Kiwi staples of forward ferocity, catch-pass accuracy and decision-making efficiency are still intact.
The stakes were high, the pressure was high and the new man in charge coped with it. Now he will look to add layers to his team’s repertoire, while Borthwick is in win-or-bust mode – forced to consider whether changes are needed to avoid a series eclipse.
England had a chance to strike first from a penalty in the sixth minute, but Smith’s shot on target was wide. The Red Rose blitz quickly put pressure on New Zealand’s playmakers and when Henry Slade tackled Jordie Barrett deep in his own half, the ball fell loose and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso collected it. The Exeter winger was heading home when play was called back for a knock-on.
The All Blacks’ scrum was seen as a significant threat to England’s ambitions and that threat was quickly demonstrated. In the 11th minute the home side won a penalty with a powerful push and launched a raid into the England 22 from a lineout, only for Ardie Savea’s knock-on to give Borthwick’s men a reprieve.
Five minutes later, New Zealand’s new era had begun with the first try. A drive from near the halfway line saw lock Patrick Tuipulotu fire clear and despite a thundering tackle from George Furbank, the Kiwis maintained the momentum. Armed with the advantage, McKenzie’s cross-kick to the right picked out Sevu Reece and he spun past Tommy Freeman to score.
McKenzie was unable to score and England were slow to get going. The visitors’ first decisive attack came after a bold long-range strike by Furbank, before his Northampton team-mate Alex Mitchell cleared down the right. Debutant Fin Baxter – replacing Joe Marler – drove through, with Smith pushing inside the home 22, but McKenzie raced back to mark.
England still had a promising position and they made it count. Ollie Lawrence kicked low on the right and Feyi-Waboso beat McKenzie to the ball. From the ensuing lineout Chandler Cunningham-South drove to the line and when he was stopped short, Maro Itoje took the ruck and forced himself to score. Smith converted. Advantage England.
It didn’t take long. The All Blacks came back and struck again. Reece threatened and after being brought down, the onrushing Red Rose blitz was broken up when Stephen Perofeta rounded Ben Earl and got into space. The ball was sent to Savea on the right and he was unstoppable from close range. Once again, McKenzie couldn’t add the extras from a wide angle.
That became significant in the seconds before half-time. England somehow found themselves only three points behind and another gruelling period of dogged defence paid off. Lawrence was awarded a breakdown penalty and Smith’s subsequent shot was on target, making it 10-10 at half-time. They had been under the bat, but England were still in the game.
Early in the second half their fortunes improved further. First, another penalty from Smith put England back ahead. Then they claimed another try. Feyi-Waboso ran back with a deep kick that Slade took, before Mitchell fired down the blindside and made good ground. Cunningham-South thundered through the middle to maintain the momentum and after Itoje was denied on the line, Smith’s long pass sent Feyi-Waboso down the left. Another wide conversion made it 15-10 to England.
They needed a bigger buffer. Instead, it was reduced in the 55th minute when McKenzie scored another penalty. Two points. The test was on the edge, as Mexican waves rolled over the stadium and music blared from the speakers, the party atmosphere masking the tension on both sides.
McKenzie struck again with the boot with 14 minutes remaining and his team protected their slender lead with tenacity. The fly-half was out when he fired a final shot against the posts, giving England one last chance to snatch the win, but they couldn’t finish it off. History averted.