NEW ZEALAND DEFEATED England 24-22 in a dramatic finish to their November international at Twickenham on Saturday.
England led 22-14 with 13 minutes left but replacement fly-half Damian McKenzie and wing Mark Telea’s second try of the match helped give New Zealand a two-point lead.
But England substitute fly-half George Ford, who had hit the post with a 79th-minute penalty — his first goal-kick of the game — missed what would have been a winning drop-goal with the last kick of the match in stoppage time.
BIG RESPONSE! 🌹
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 2, 2024
England face up to the Haka! #AutumnNationsSeries | #ENGvNZL pic.twitter.com/pHV7VcXiSa
Defeat in their November international opener was yet another frustrating loss for England, with Steve Borthwick’s men beaten in several close games since the start of the 2023 World Cup — including 16-15 and 24-17 losses in New Zealand in July.
Saturday’s reverse was particularly tough on fly-half Marcus Smith, who kicked 17 points and grabbed the interception that that led to England’s lone try through wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
Ireland welcome New Zealand to the Aviva Stadium next Friday.
Written by AFP and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.
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