In a thrilling contest on Saturday, England staged an impressive comeback to defeat New Zealand 33-19, breaking an eight-year winless streak against the All Blacks. After falling behind 12-0 early in the match, England showcased remarkable resilience, scoring 25 unanswered points to claim a pivotal victory that spoiled New Zealand’s aspirations for a Grand Slam this season.
The match commenced with New Zealand taking the lead through tries from Leicester Fainga’anuku and Codie Taylor, putting England under pressure. However, England countered through a try from Ollie Lawrence and two drop goals from George Ford, narrowing the halftime deficit to just one point.
In the second half, England took control with tries from Sam Underhill and Fraser Dingwall, building a significant 25-12 lead. Although New Zealand fought back with a try from Will Jordan, England maintained their advantage with a crucial penalty from Ford, and Tom Roebuck capped the win with a final try.
This victory represents England’s first over the All Blacks since the 2019 World Cup semi-final and their first at Twickenham against New Zealand since 2012. The match significantly contrasted previous encounters, where England lost all three of their matches against New Zealand last year by narrow margins.
Ford’s performance at flyhalf was instrumental in England’s success, earning him the man of the match accolade. Post-match, he expressed pride in the team’s ability to overcome early adversity and stressed the importance of composure under pressure.
With this win, England enters their next matchup against Argentina with renewed momentum, hoping to extend their winning streak. Conversely, New Zealand faces a challenging regroup as they prepare for their upcoming clash with Wales after this setback.
Both teams demonstrated a fierce competitive spirit, setting the stage for more exciting rugby ahead. England’s triumph not only boosts their confidence but also reignites hope among their supporters, signifying their resurgence as a strong contender in international rugby.