England staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 33-19 victory over New Zealand on Saturday, ending an eight-year winless streak against the All Blacks. Trailing 12-0 early in the match, England rallied to score 25 unanswered points, demonstrating resilience and tactical prowess. This significant win also dashed New Zealand’s hopes for a Grand Slam this season.
The game began with New Zealand asserting their dominance, with Leicester Fainga’anuku and Codie Taylor crossing the try line, putting England on the back foot. However, an Ollie Lawrence try and two drop goals from George Ford brought England back into contention, closing the halftime gap to just one point.
In the second half, England took charge with tries from Sam Underhill and Fraser Dingwall, establishing a 25-12 lead. New Zealand responded with a try from Will Jordan, but England’s Ford added a crucial penalty, and Tom Roebuck sealed the game with a final try.
This match marked England’s first win over the All Blacks since the 2019 World Cup semi-final and their first victory at Twickenham against New Zealand since 2012. The game also stood in stark contrast to past encounters, where England had lost all three matches to the All Blacks the previous year by narrow margins.
Ford’s experience at flyhalf was pivotal in England’s performance, earning him the man of the match award. After the game, he expressed pride in the team’s ability to recover from an early setback and emphasized the importance of maintaining composure under pressure.
England’s victory positions them with momentum as they prepare to face Argentina next week, looking to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, for New Zealand, this loss presents a significant setback following their previous struggles against England, highlighting the challenges they face as they regroup for their upcoming match against Wales.
Both teams showcased a thrilling competitive spirit, promising exciting rugby in the matches ahead. England, buoyed by this victory, seeks to solidify their place as a formidable force in international rugby, beckoning hope and enthusiasm among their supporters.