All Blacks hold on for thrilling win over England

Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 9:07 AM
AFP
by AFP
The All Blacks came back to take down England in Auckland. Photo: Getty Images
The All Blacks came back to take down England in Auckland. Photo: Getty Images

The All Blacks have held on for a 24-17 win over England at Eden Park.

New Zealand's winning streak at Eden Park looked in danger when a pair of Marcus Smith cross field kicks delivered tries.

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A further penalty put them clear before the interjection of Beauden Barrett changed the game.

Barrett put Mark Tele'a into space as the winger dived in for his second and the lead.

England launched a late change but the Kiwis survived for their 49th straight win at Eden Park.

"Hugely proud of the boys to hold on and win the arm wrestle and finish off a good performance," said New Zealand captain Scott Barrett. 

"Test matches certainly challenge your character and we had to dig deep there, right till the last minute."

Fly-half Smith led the visitors to a 14-13 advantage at half-time after his pin-point cross-field kicks created tries for wing Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.

After a breathless opening spell, the All Blacks took the lead when Tele'a caught the England defence napping from a ruck to dart over for a try.

All Blacks fly-half Damian McKenzie landed the conversion, but England immediately hit back.

Smith kicked wide into the arms of Feyi-Waboso, who stepped inside the defence for a converted try.  

New Zealand should have had a second try when Tele'a broke away, but Smith intercepted the final pass to Stephen Perofeta on the England tryline.

McKenzie landed a penalty, but Smith quickly took the kick-off to pin the All Blacks deep in their own half, where they stayed for the next 15 minutes.

McKenzie stroked over another penalty, but England led at half-time after Freeman outleapt Tele'a to haul in Smith's kick.

The England number 10 successfully converted from the touchline . 

England started the second-half camped in the All Blacks half and Smith extended the lead to 17-13 with a penalty.

With half an hour left, scrum-half Cortez Ratima came on to make his All Blacks debut when he replaced the dazed Finlay Christie.

The game's momentum swung New Zealand's way when the All Blacks brought on Beauden Barrett.

The twice world player of the year showed his class by restoring the lead for New Zealand when he scythed through a gap to put Tele'a over.

McKenzie missed the conversion, but landed two penalties to pull New Zealand out of England's reach.

The visitors fought until the end with England captain Jamie George denied near the New Zealand line from scoring a potential match-levelling try.

"I think we're a significantly better team than we when we started," said England captain George.

"There's hugely exciting times ahead for this English team. 

"We'll welcome them to Twickenham in November, we'll look forward to that."

ALL BLACKS 24

Tries: Tele'a 2

Cons: McKenzie 1/2

Pens: McKenzie 4/4

ENGLAND 17

Tries: Feyi-Waboso, Freeman

Cons: Smith 2/2

Pens: Smith 1/1

Drop Goal: Smith 0/1

ALL BLACKS v ENGLAND TEAMS

New Zealand: 15 Stephen Perofeta; 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Tele’a; 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Samipeni Finau; 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Scott Barrett (captain); 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan De Groot.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19 Luke Jacobson, 20 Tupou Vaa'i, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown 23. Beauden Barrett

England: 15 Freddie Steward 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Tommy Freeman, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George (captain), 1 Fin Baxter.

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Ollie Sleightholme.

Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy (Australia), Pierre Broussett (France)

TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)

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