England came on a mission to make history but ended up becoming trapped in the same old story of defeat and despair against the All Blacks in New Zealand. It was so near but so far – again.
A decade after losing by a point at Forsyth Barr Stadium, there was the same agonising outcome at the same venue. Steve Borthwick’s national team were confident they could create a shock and that was on the cards when they led 15-10 early in the second half. But even under-prepared All Blacks are still All Blacks and their innate spirit and talent allowed them to turn the tables, to mark Scott Robertson’s first game in charge with a narrow, nervy win.
The English target was just a third victory against the host nation on these shores but Borthwick’s side could not claim the Kiwis’ scalp here in 2024, as their predecessors had done in 1973 and 2003. Those remain the twin peaks for England in rugby’s final frontier and it is now hard to imagine another such feat occurring in a week’s time.
Their place in folklore was denied – entry blocked. The club for England players who have beaten these rivals in their forbidding domain will stay extremely exclusive
Another objective for Jamie George and Co had been to successfully launch an epic weekend of sport. They were hell-bent on raising the flag a long way from home, perhaps as an inspiration to competing compatriots. Instead, it is now over to the footballers and tennis players and motor-racing drivers to boost the country’s post-election mood.
England suffered a narrow defeat against New Zealand in the first Test of the two-match series
Damian McKenzie’s late penalty secured victory for the hosts, who had trailed 15-10 early on in the second half
Steve Borthwick’s side had hoped to get revenge for a one-point defeat at the same venue 10 years ago
The immediate outlook for the tourists is grim. As the All Blacks were able to launch their new era by retaining the Hillary Shield, England were left to cast minds ahead to next weekend. If they are to avoid a 2-0 series defeat, they must somehow end a 30-year era of Kiwi home rule at Eden Park.
It is hard to see how that is feasible, after England missed their chance to catch the opposition cold here in the chilly south of New Zealand. The visitors couldn’t capitalise on having so much in their favour; better preparation which 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 having to cope without so many lost icons. Their build-up was rushed but their class still shone through.
Robertson and the whole host nation knew this represented a dangerous start to the new era, so the fact they came through so well suggests that some impressive work 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 well and truly intact.
The stakes were high, the heat was on and the new man in charge coped. Now he will seek to start adding 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 the chance to land the first blow from a sixth-minute penalty, but Marcus Smith’s shot at goal was off target. The Red Rose blitz was soon exerting 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 gathered. The Exeter wing was bearing down on the home line when play was called back for a knock-on.
The All Blacks’ scrum had been identified as a significant threat to English ambitions and that threat was swiftly demonstrated. In the 11th minute, the home side won a set-piece penalty with a mighty shove and launched a raid in the England 22 from a lineout, only for Ardie Savea’s knock-on to gift Borthwick’s men a reprieve.
Marcus Smith impressed, but at times struggled with his kicking and missed an opporunity to put his side ahead early
Sevu Reece twisted past Tommy Freeman to score first try of the game and the Robertson era
England hit back, however, with Maro Itoje going over after picking up from the ruck and Smith converted
Five minutes later, New Zealand’s new era was up and running with its first try. An attack from near halfway saw lock Patrick Tuipulotu blast clear and despite a thunderous tackle by George Furbank, the Kiwis kept up the momentum. Armed with advantage, McKenzie’s cross-kick to the right picked out Sevu Reece and he twisted past Tommy Freeman to score.
McKenzie couldn’t convert and England began to belatedly find their feet. The visitors’ first telling attack came after a daring charge from deep by Furbank, before his Northampton team-mate Alex Mitchell scythed clear on the right. Debutant Fin Baxter – on for Joe Marler – drove on, then Smith kicked through in the home 22 but McKenzie raced back to cover.
England still had a promising position and they made it count. Ollie Lawrence kicked low on the right and Feyi-Waboso smashed McKenzie into touch with the ball. From the ensuing lineout, Chandler Cunningham-South drove at the line and when he was stopped short, Maro Itoje picked up from the ruck and forced his way over to score. Smith converted. Advantage England.
It didn’t last long. Back came the All Blacks and struck again. Reece threatened and after he was brought down, the on-rushing Red Rose blitz was breached, as Stephen Perofeta skipped around Ben Earl and into space. The ball was shipped out to Savea on the right and there was no stopping him from close range. Again, McKenzie couldn’t add the extras from a wide angle.
That became significant in the seconds before half-time. England somehow only trailed by three points and one more exhausting spell of tenacious defence paid off for them. Lawrence won a breakdown penalty and Smith’s subsequent shot was on the money, to make it 10-10 going into the break. They had been under the cosh, but England were still in the match.
Early in the second half, their situation improved further. Firstly, another Smith penalty put England in front again. Then, they claimed another try. Feyi-Waboso ran back a deep kick and Slade took it on, then Mitchell sniped 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 over on the left. Another wide conversion meant it was 15-10 to England.
An under-prepared New Zealand found themselves struggling as they trailed by five points
They delivered, however, protecting their lead with tenacity, meaning history was averted
They needed a bigger cushion. Instead, it was reduced in the 55th minute when McKenzie landed another penalty. Two points in it. The Test was on a knife-edge, as Mexican waves rolled around the stadium and music blared on the speakers, with the party mood belying the tension on both sides.
McKenzie struck again with the boot with 14 minutes remaining and his team protected their tiny lead with tenacity. The fly-half was timed out when he lined up one final shot at the posts, giving England a last chance to snatch the win, but they couldn’t take it. History averted.