A last-gasp missed drop goal by George Ford condemned England to yet another agonizing defeat at the hands of the New Zealand All Blacks, who emerged victorious in a thrilling 24-22 encounter at Twickenham. The match, a highly anticipated clash in the opening round of the Autumn Nations Series, was a rollercoaster of emotions and a testament to the enduring rivalry between these two rugby giants.
The first half belonged to the All Blacks, who showcased their trademark attacking prowess and ruthlessness. Tries from Mark Tele’a and Will Jordan, coupled with a series of penalties from the boot of Marcus Smith, kept England on the back foot, and the score at halftime reflected the dominance of the visitors.
However, the second half saw a resurgence from England, fueled by a relentless pursuit of victory and a desire to end their long-standing losing streak against their arch-rivals. Smith, the English fly-half, played a pivotal role in this comeback, his interception setting the stage for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s try. Another penalty extended England’s lead to eight points with 20 minutes remaining, and hope began to blossom among the home crowd.
The momentum shifted once again, however, as a Damien McKenzie penalty brought New Zealand within a score. Then, in a moment of brilliance, Tele’a touched down for his second try, giving the All Blacks a narrow lead. England had two chances to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat. First, a penalty attempt by Ford hit the post, and then, in the final act of the match, his drop goal drifted wide of the target, leaving the Twickenham crowd stunned and the English players heartbroken.
This defeat continues England’s frustrating losing streak against New Zealand, a streak that now extends to 12 years. England’s Autumn Nations Series campaign continues next week against Australia at Allianz Stadium, while New Zealand will face Ireland in Dublin. The next few weeks will be crucial for both teams as they look to build momentum and gain confidence ahead of the Rugby World Cup in 2023.
