A narrow win for the All Blacks - read the report here - the match was defined by key moments and standout performances, but was followed by some pointed debates over tactical decisions and the health of the All Blacks squad.
Ford’s missed kicks stirs debate
George Ford’s performance, especially his missed kicks – two in the closing stages of the match - sparked considerable conversation among pundits and fans alike. When he replaced Marcus Smith at fly-half just after the hour, the Harlequins man was having one of his most impressive Test-match performances, and had kicked perfectly from the tee for a 17-point haul. However, England head coach Steve Borthwick backed Ford (who had played little rugby going into the match), noting his consistency and reliability under pressure: “He hasn’t missed many in his career, so we can’t blame him for that.” Even All Blacks head coach seemed relieved at Ford’s misfortune: “I don't think George Ford has ever missed a drop kick in his life, you know.”
In turn, former England player Will Greenwood questioned the balance between Ford and Marcus Smith, commenting: “The switch looked pre-planned and not in any way reactive to what had happened during the match.” Ford’s strategic play has been praised despite the missed opportunities, though, and importantly he has been publicly backed by his coach and captain. With game time it’s certain we will see him back to his world-class best over the course of this campaign – though whether that is at the cost of witnessing more Smith-style magic remains to be seen.
Match drama and Sititi’s star turn
The game itself was a thriller, showcasing high-octane rugby from both sides. England’s pack brought ferocity, challenging the All Blacks at every breakdown, while New Zealand, spearheaded by rising star Wallace Sititi, dazzled with precision and power. Sititi, who claimed Player of the Match, was outstanding; his stats included a team-high 16 carries for 141 metres. He has been hailed as a generational talent. Back in his home country, the Herald rated the 22-year-old nine out of ten, and hailed his performance as “outstanding”, adding that he “kept coming at England all test, making some decent line breaks against a very impressive defensive side, one that could have led to a try had his pass stuck”.
Sititi’s head coach didn’t think his star man would be indulging in the bottle of champagne he was awarded for being Player of the Match: “I’m not sure he’s going to have anything to do with that bottle of Bollinger. He might give that away, but he deserved it.”
Sititi praised the on-field leaders for helping the team stay calm and composed to sneak a win at the death: “Our leaders were amazing boys like Scott Barrett and Sam Cane really stood up and told us to be patient and hold onto the ball, cause when we do that no one can live with us”.
When asked how he looks so comfortable on the international stage, despite only playing eight times for the mighty All Blacks, he said: “I tried my best out there, it’s all glory to god, credit to the boys around me like Ardie and Sam, they really helped me out there”.
All Blacks injury concerns
Despite the victory, the All Blacks left the pitch with some big injury concerns, and will be desperate to have them alleviated before Friday’s Test match in Dublin against world number one Ireland. Key players Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor sustained head injuries, casting doubts over their availability for upcoming matches. Scott Robertson gave nothing away in the post-match press conference, responding to questions around the players’ fitness with an “I’ll get the doctor to answer that.”
Haka response
England’s response to New Zealand’s haka also caught attention, as they boldly marched towards it. Captain Jamie George revealed that it had been planned for weeks “It was something that I’d been thinking about for a couple of weeks. I spoke with the senior players. I spoke with Steve [Borthwick],” George explained afterwards, stressing that it wasn’t a reaction to the uproar caused by teammate Joe Marler’s comments in the build-up.
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett appeared appreciative of England’s approach. “The week showed that there is going to be plenty of feeling between the teams in regards to the haka,” said the 30-year-old. “We expected a strong challenge even before the whistle. It was great – you could feel the atmosphere. It was a special moment.”
Moving forward
"New Zealand are a quality side who have played, since we last played, seven Test matches and been together for three months,” said Borthwick after the match. “So, it's a different context to where we're at. Credit to them and we'll be better next week."
It was a fair assessment from the England head coach, with the Kiwis battle-hardened from their recent Rugby Championship campaign. For England, the sense is that they can only build from here, with defeat to the Wallabies next up nigh on unthinkable to most. As for New Zealand, already there is talk in the Irish press about their team seeking revenge for the loss to the All Blacks that knocked them out of last year’s World Cup.
"We need to tidy up our discipline, execution areas, but keep creating, being brave and volunteer to play," said Robertson, looking ahead to Dublin. "It's small, little margins but we'll definitely have to be better, for sure."
Next up for the two teams:
Ireland v New Zealand, Friday 8 November, 20:10, Aviva Stadium
England v Australia, Saturday 9November, 15:00, Allianz Stadium
Every game of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series is live on TNT Sports.
