New Zealand v England LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as All Blacks secure narrow win in brutal first Test

Variety from New Zealand, Stephen Perofeta lifting a crossfield kick. It’s not quite right, but that’s always an option when you face a blitz defence like England’s; the All Blacks have used it well against South Africa in the past.

Alex Mitchell takes the opening kick off and boots long to Jordie Barrett, allowing the All Blacks into their work in attack. New Zealand get outside England’s blitz defence but a weaving Mark Tele’a is stripped in contact.

England try to exlpore the edges but a poor pass is dropped by Tommy Freeman. It’ll be the visitors’ lienout, though, as Samipeni Finau is biffed into touch.

NEW ZEALAND VS ENGLAND IS UNDERWAY!

Nika Amashukeli of Georgia is our referee today, assisted by a couple of Aussies in Nic Berry and Jordan Way. Frenchman Eric Gauzins is on hand in the TMO truck if (when) required.

Here we go. England seeking just a third win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil.

TJ Perenara leads the haka, hidden in a circle of All Blacks. England stand arm-in-arm, swaying in anticipation and staring out New Zealand as they spread into formation to lay down the challenge.

Anthem time, a few English voices making themselves heard among the black sea of New Zealand shirts in the stands. “God Defend New Zealand” gets rather more punchy backing.

Out charge the England players, Marcus Smith testing his change of direction by zigging and zagging right across the Dunedin surface. It’s been a confident camp this week, with England feeling like they’ve got a real opportunity to lay down a marker.

Scott Barrett leads New Zealand out for the first time as All Blacks skipper, followed out by brothers Jordie and Beauden. A proud day for an extraordinary family.

The Glasshouse is full pretty much to the rafters, the Dunedin public out in force to fill Forsyth Barr Stadium. Intriguingly, the All Blacks were suggesting early this week that the enclosed stadium might suit England more, playing a few mind games with Steve Borthwick’s men.

The two sets of players slap hands in the dressing rooms before preparing for their emergence, the All Blacks in their rather fetching new kits with prominent white collars.

Jamie George insists England are ready to impose themselves on New Zealand and play their part in a weekend of high-stakes sport.

England are aiming to triumph on Kiwi soil for only the third time in a history spanning 16 matches and 61 years when they collide with the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday morning.

Martin Johnson’s 2003 tourists were the last team to take the sport’s most prized scalp with each of the seven Tests since ending in defeat for the Red Rose.

George believes that toppling the All Blacks would set the tone for England’s football team when they face Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals later in the same day.

Back when he was coming through age grade rugby, Stephen Perofeta was nicknamed “Pero-future”, a nod to the sky-high potential many felt he possessed. The path since hasn’t always been smooth since he guided a dominant New Zealand side to a 64-17 victory over their English counterparts at the 2017 U20s World Championship, Perofeta flitting between fly half and full-back and often in the shadow of the All Blacks’ amazing array of play-making options.

But two years on from earning his first three caps, now feels like it might be Perofeta’s time. It feels a bold call from Scott Robertson to start the 27-year-old ahead of Beauden Barrett but the new All Blacks boss is hoping that his full-back carries the sharpness from a strong end to the Super Rugby Pacific season with the champion Blues.

“Obviously the experience of 123 Tests counts for a lot, but Stephen Perofeta is also a guy who is in form, good around the high ball and playing great footy,” Robertson said.

“Just two weeks ago he was playing in a Test-match level game in a final. Beauden can play his part covering both 10 and 15. When you’ve got Beauden Barrett on the bench it’s pretty special.”