The encounter was preceded by a spine-tingling haka and an equally robust English reaction, with the hosts stepping up to the halfway line to accept the challenge that New Zealand had set out.
Both teams came out the blocks fast, and three cross-field kicks within the opening two minutes set the tone for what was to come.
The first points of the game came from the boot of England fly-half Marcus Smith, with a penalty on the 22-metre line after a period of attacking phases. However, it was the All Blacks who crossed the try line first, a wonderful out-the-back offload from Wallace Sititi setting up Mark Tele’a with a one-on-one against England prop Ellis Genge. A great touchline conversion saw New Zealand claim the full seven points.
England were straight back on the attack, with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso troubling the All Blacks defence. A late tackle from New Zealand on Smith saw England awarded a penalty just inside the 22-metre line. Smith slotted it straight through the uprights to reduce the deficit to one point.
The new Joe El-Abd England defensive system was clear to see, with England’s lightning line speed putting pressure on New Zealand.
All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane went off on the 16th minute, after needing medical attention for a hand injury. He was replaced by Anton Lienert-Brown.
After a long period of back and forth, New Zealand got their second try of the match in typically dazzling All Blacks fashion. Near the half-hour mark, a quick change of direction from Cortez Ratima and a pass to Beauden Barrett was followed by a switch to fullback Will Jordan. Jordan turned on the turbos and skated over the line for a delightful try that epitomised the danger of the All Blacks running angles. Barrett nailed the conversion to extend their lead to eight points.
England went straight back on the attack. Another England player tackled off the ball offered Smith another chance to chip away at New Zealand's lead, which the Harlequins playmaker duly did. The score now read 9-14.
Blindside Chandler Cunningham-South was adamant on turning the tide for England, putting in a huge shot on Tupou Vaa’i that got the home fans going. A cry of ‘Swing Low’ rang around the Allianz Stadium.
Shortly afterwards, a scrum penalty was awarded to England, and yet again Smith had a shot at goal - his longest of the day so far from 45 metres out. He succeeded with it, and England now trailed by just two points.
With the first-half clock in the red, Smith stepped back into the pocket for an opportunist attempt at a drop goal, but a poor connection forced the ball to roll dead, bringing the first half of this exhilarating match to a close: England 12-14 New Zealand.
After an intense territorial battle, Smith flew out of the line to intercept a New Zealand ball on England’s 22-metre line. The fly-half went on a thrilling run deep into All Blacks territory, being hunted down by black jerseys. A dummy pass then a cute pop to fullback George Furbank, who shipped it to irrepressible wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso for a 10-metre dash to the try line. Smith converted to claim the lead for the second time of the afternoon. 19-14.
With tiring bodies as a result of the expansive, fast-paced and free-flowing game, space started to open up. All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke made a break down the touchline, cutting back inside and passing to fly-half Barrett, who skated in untouched to score under the posts. Boos ring round around the Allianz Stadium at the realisation that there was foul play by the visitors in the build-up, and a check for a deliberate knock-on from Clarke early in England’s play confirmed it: an outstretched arm in an unnatural position knocking an England ball down, thus denying New Zealand the try.
As a result of the deliberate knock-on, England were awarded a penalty 40 meters out. Choosing to take a shot at goal, Smith stepped up and slotted the penalty, extending England’s lead to 22-14 going into the last 20 minutes.
A no-arms tackle from England No8 Ben Earl gifted New Zealand a penalty 30 metres out and in front of the posts. With Damian McKenzie taking over the kicking duties after replacing Beauden Barrett, the successful penalty made it a five-point game in England’s favour.
After a sustained period of All Blacks pressure, and with English bodies slowing, New Zealand’s first try-scorer, Tele’a, picked up the ball with another one-on-one - this time England fly-half George Ford, on for Smith – and produced one of the finishes of the 2024 international season to score in the corner. McKenzie stepped up and converted from the touchline with laser-guided accuracy to regain the lead going into the last 10 minutes
England were straight back on the attack, and a high tackle from Anton Lienert-Brown sent the centre to the sin bin, gifting Ford the opportunity to kick a goal for the win from 45 metres out. The attempt was agonisingly wide, rattling the right post but, mercifully for Ford, dropped down to the magnificent Patrick Tuipulotu, whose only error of the day appeared to be knocking it on in that moment.
An England scrum five metres out gave the home side the chance to win it at the death, but a scrappy scrum and a poor pass put the hosts back under pressure. After a period of build-up phases, Ford stepped back into the pocket for a match-winning drop goal – one that never came, with his attempt flying three metres wide of the uprights, and with it a shot at victory.
England now turn their attention to Saturday's match against Australia, while New Zealand face the considerable challenge of world number one side Ireland on Friday - all live on TNT Sports.
