England vs New Zealand LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as England miss late penalty in dramatic All Blacks win
The All Blacks visit Allianz Stadium, Twickenham to kick off the Autumn Nations Series
England and New Zealand kick off the Autumn Nations Series with a marquee clash at the renamed Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Steve Borthwick’s side were beaten narrowly in both Tests on their July tour, and will be out for revenge against an All Blacks side still adjusting to life under head coach Scott Robertson. A storied rivalry has been given extra edge this week by clumsy comments from England prop Joe Marler, who suggested the traditional pre-match haka needed “binning” on social media. Marler, who left camp on Monday for unrelated personal reasons, has since apologised after significant criticism.
The haka chat has dominated the build-up to a crucial clash for both sides. England have taken huge strides this year but have endured recent coaching upheaval, while Borthwick has emphasised the need to finish games strongly after losing three of their last four fixtures by fine margins.
The visitors, meanwhile, disappointed in the Rugby Championship as South Africa further showed how the balance of rugby power may be shifting, and will want to re-establish themselves as one of the world’s top sides in the next few weeks.
Follow all the latest from the Autumn Nations Series opener in our live blog below:
England 19-14 New Zealand, 48 mins
Jeers around the Allianz as Beauden Barrett launches a deep, long kick but it bounces all the way through the in-goal area, out dead and England will have the scrum back on halfway. A bit unlucky perhaps but England won’t mind.
TRY! England 19-14 New Zealand (Manny Feyi-Waboso, 45 mins)
A breakaway try out of nothing for England!
Ratima’s pass is blocked and Marcus Smith picks up the ball in his own half and streaks away. He’s not got the pace to go all the way but doesn’t panic when he’s caught on the 22, flipping the ball to the supporting Furbank, who feeds Manny Feyi-Waboso to glide over the line. A sucker punch for the All Blacks!
Smith adds the conversion and England lead for the first time since 3-0
England 12-14 New Zealand, 43 mins
A change for New Zealand in the second row as Patrick Tuipulotu comes on for Tupou Vaa’i. Replacements could decide this match.
We footle about with a scrum for a little while and a couple of resets (what else is new...) before NZ eventually hold firm and run from their own half. Great tackle by Freeman on Jordan and the All Blacks suddenly back into their own 22 and Barrett boots to touch.
England have made good territory though.
England 12-14 New Zealand, 42 mins
More from Harry Latham-Coyle on the ground
England have loaded up with six forwards on the bench - when will Steve Borthwick use them? While that unit will bring fresh energy, you fear that there might be a significant quality drop-off in the back five of the pack with the way that Ben Earl, Chandler-Cunningham South and co. are playing.
KICK-OFF! England 12-14 New Zealand
Back underway at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. A big 40 minutes coming up.
WATCH! England 12-14 New Zealand - first-half highlights
Here are some of the best bits from the first half.
HALF-TIME! England 12-14 New Zealand
A compelling first half with tries from Mark Tele’a and Will Jordan for the All Blacks but the boot of Marcus Smith has kept England in touch. They’ll need to show more in attack to win this Test match though, you feel.
England 12-14 New Zealand, 40 mins
A last chance for England before half-time as Clarke blocks a kick ahead into touch. Lineout near halfway for the hosts...
Martin claims it in the air and England win a penalty from the maul. Slade boots the ball just outside the 22, another lineout and this one is scrappy but Feyi-Waboso claims the loose ball and takes it up to the 22.
Smith drops into the pocket, goes for the drop goal but it’s an ugly attempt, well short. And that’s half-time.
England 12-14 New Zealand, 39 mins
Our man on the ground, Harry Latham-Coyle, has been impressed by Wallace Sititi
Wallace Sititi is quite something to watch in the flesh. Rangy and full of free spirit, he moves a lot like a cutting basketball small forward, subtly changing direction as he surges into the paint. He should, really, have held on to that ball there and allowed his teammate to resource the ruck and go again – but that was a glimpse of his serious talent.
England 12-14 New Zealand, 38 mins
Oh wow! That could be a key moment. England almost break as Earl hacks ahead from a loose ball but Barrett gets a foot to it and it bounces up for Wallace Sititi.
From there, it’s incredible by the All Blacks flanker as he slides through a gap and then shows brilliant footwork to dance around George Martin and barrel into the England half. He throws a long pass to Vaa’i and if it goes to hand, then it’s a run-in but it’s an inch too far in front of the lock and bounces off his hand to hit the deck.
A huge let-off for England! Credit to Feyi-Waboso who threw himself at Sititi and maybe put him off as he was throwing the pass.
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