England vs New Zealand LIVE: Final score, result and latest reaction as Red Roses run riot
Simon Middleton’s side overpowered the Black Ferns in a record-breaking victory to lay down a marker ahead of next week’s Test as the teams run it back
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Your support makes all the difference.England ran riot to clinch a record victory over New Zealand in the first of two colossal Test matches between the sides.
Simon Harrison’s outfit thrived behind Zoe Harrison’s excellent disply as the No 1 ranked side in the world outclassed the world champions.
Tries from Abbie Ward (2), Ellie Kildunne, Lark Davies, Holly Aitchison, Abbie Dow and Harrison added to the Black Ferns’ misery.
Aitchison was filling in for the injured Emily Scarratt, making an impressive debut after starring at the Olympics in sevens.
“We’ve got them next week as well. We can’t get complacent. We need to look what we can do better for next week,” Harrison told BBC Sport.
“Today we were really looking at ourselves. Even in the Six Nations we’ve been looking towards the World Cup.”
While Emily Scarratt insists the victory will make next week’s contest even more intriguing: “Unbelievable. You could see that England really wanted to come out here and make a point. The Black Ferns were undercooked, it’s their first game back in a long time. It’s going to be a cracker next week.”
England 5-0 New Zealand, 15 minutes
Harrison undercooks her touch-finder but a New Zealand knock-on and subsequent scrum penalty allows her an immediate chance of atonement - England advance into the Black Ferns’ half.
England 5-0 New Zealand, 14 minutes
England knock-on after the restart and it is again the option of Ayesha Leti-I’Iga off her wing for the Black Ferns, connecting hard with the chest of Zoe Harrison as she thumps against the England fly-half. Harrison hauls her down, and England’s pilfering hands are again profitable at the breakdown a phase or two later, drawing a sealing off penalty.
TRY! ENGLAND 5-0 New Zealand (Abbie Ward try, 11 minutes)
What a try! England score first and what a way to open proceedings!
New Zealand are short on the left as the Red Roses spin it, a delicious slap on from Ellie Kildunne enabling England to get to the edge. The electric Abby Dow is put into space by Abbie Ward, somehow chopped down by a diving Dhys Faleafaga, but with the presence of mind to keep the ball alive and set up her near namesake, maintaining support superbly and using her long strides to power the final ten metres or so for the score. The conversion is no good, but that is a brilliant opener from England.
England 0-0 New Zealand, 10 minutes
Excellent from Zoe Harrison, twice using her boot well push New Zealand back and leading the chase on the second occasion, clutching on to a hot-stepping Kendra Cocksedge deep in Black Ferns territory.
She makes the scrum-half turn for a second time with another outstanding, guided punt, with New Zealand only able to clear to about their own ten-metre. That is partly why the Saracens playmaker is in the team - she is England’s best kicking fly-half.
England 0-0 New Zealand, 8 minutes
Nearly away! The incredibly dangerous Ayesha Leti-I’Iga shimmies through a midfield gap and nearly breaks the shackles entirely, just about clawed back by England, who force an errant offload.
Another poor clearance will allow New Zealand another rumble, though.
England 0-0 New Zealand, 7 minutes
Another kick through bounces about uncomfortably and England nearly make a hash of it, but are eventually able to clear.
Zoe Harrison can’t find touch, though, with debutant Renee Holmes keeping the ball infield and New Zealand returning with interest.
A crucial turnover for England at the breakdown ends the movement, and this time Harrison makes no mistake. It looked like Zoe Aldcroft who forced the ball free with a strong counter-ruck. Excellent stuff from the lock-cum-six.
England 0-0 New Zealand, 5 minutes
One firm carry and England are content to clear, Zoe Harrison doing the job well. But back come New Zealand! Lively footwork from Ayesha Leti-I’Iga creates some space and New Zealand have an overlap on the left, entering the England 22 again. Ruahei Demant threads a grubber through, and Chelsea Alley raises her arms in frustration - she thought she was blocked off as she tries to chase. Nothing doing, says referee Aimee Barrett-Theron and England will have a goalline drop out.
England 0-0 New Zealand, 4 minutes
A stable first scrum for New Zealand with perhaps a slight nudge for Hannah Botterman, but swiftly away from the base.
The Black Ferns immediately find the corner with a clever territorial kick, asking England to play from deep.
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