New Zealand respond after England player calls Haka ‘ridiculous’
England’s George Ford missed two last-gasp shots at goal and New Zealand held on to win a dramatic Autumn Nations Series opener 24-22 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
A brilliant solo try by wing Mark Tele’a, converted from the sideline by Damian McKenzie, saw New Zealand regain a two-point lead with three minutes to go. But then Anton Lienert-Brown was sin-binned for a head-on-head tackle and Ford lined up an angled penalty kick from 40 metres but it rebounded off the right post.
The hosts then got a scrum in the 22, with the sell-out crowd of 82,000 baying England on, but the All Blacks spoiled the scrum and a rushed drop goal attempt by Ford after the 80-minute hooter flew well wide.
It means New Zealand complete a hat-trick of wins against England this year, by a combined 10 points. Meanwhile, England missed out on a first home win over the All Blacks since 2012.
Relive the Autumn Nations Series opener in our live blog below:
England vs All Blacks live updates
Team news – New Zealand
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson recalls his big guns after resting them from the win over Japan last weekend, including Jordie Barrett, who is available after injury. Beauden Barrett is handed the reins at fly half with Will Jordan at full-back, and Mark Tele’a is given an opportunity to regain form on the wing. With no Ethan de Groot for a breach of “internal standards”, the giant Tamaiti Williams starts at loosehead prop.
New Zealand XV: 1 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Scott Barrett (capt.), 5 Tupou Vaa’i; 6 Wallace Sititi, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea; 9 Cortez Ratima, 10 Beauden Barrett; 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Mark Tele’a; 15 Will Jordan.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Samipeni Finau; 21 Cam Roigard, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie.
Harry Latham-Coyle2 November 2024 14:10
Team news – England
Henry Slade is fit to start for England having played his first minutes of the season for Exeter last weekend after recovering from shoulder surgery. Ben Spencer is named as the starting scrum half for the first time in his international career having pipped Jack van Poortvliet and Harry Randall to the nine shirt, while Ellis Genge returns at loosehead having missed the summer tour due to injury. Steve Borthwick opts for six forwards and two backs on the bench.
England XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (capt.), 3 Will Stuart; 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin; 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Marcus Smith; 11 Tommy Freeman, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 13 Henry Slade, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; 15 George Furbank.
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Ben Curry, 21 Alex Dombrandt; 22 Harry Randall, 23 George Ford.
Harry Latham-Coyle2 November 2024 14:00
Kevin Sinfield admits he did not expect to still be on England coaching team
12 months ago, it was Kevin Sinfield overseeing England’s defence, producing an impressive World Cup campaign before deciding that he felt a different role would be more appropriate. Having announced an intention to leave the set-up ahead of the Six Nations, agreement has been reached that will allow Sinfield to retain involvement on a part-time basis, leaving him free to pursue other passions including his considerable charity work.
While a pre-booked speaking tour will leave Sinfield absent for a couple of these autumn Tests, he is delighted to be remaining part of Borthwick’s staff.
Harry Latham-Coyle2 November 2024 13:45
New England defence coach Joe El-Abd opens up on friendship with Steve Borthwick and rugby philosophy
England have a new defence coach for this autumn, with Joe El-Abd taking up the role after Felix Jones handed in his resignation in August. The former Bristol and Toulon flanker will continue to serve as director of rugby of French club Oyonnax until the end of the season but has been tasked with taking England’s aggressive defence on after answering an SOS from his former flatmate Steve Borthwick.
Harry Latham-Coyle2 November 2024 13:30
Ireland criticise 20-minute red card ahead of controversial trial in autumn Tests
There are a few law trials in place this autumn, with attempts made to speed up the formation of both scrums and lineouts and a clamp down on “escorting” from retreating players while the oppostion are chasing kicks. It is the introduction of the 20-minute red card, though, that has attracted most attention, with Ireland and France coming out against the change in rugby’s disciplinary process:
Harry Latham-Coyle2 November 2024 13:15
Autumn Nations Series schedule: How to watch every rugby Test on TV and online
It is, as mentioned, a hectic November with the Autumn Nations Series spread over five weeks of fixtures. Here’s the full schedule and how you can watch every game:
Harry Latham-Coyle2 November 2024 13:00
Maro Itoje on the Lions, leadership and politics: ‘I’ll return to No 10 one way or another’
One man usually at his best on days like these is Maro Itoje, who surpasses the cap tally of the great Martin Johnson today. In Girona last week, I sat down with the ever-considered and compelling England lock to talk leadership, the prospect of a third Lions tour and his potential political ambitions.
Harry Latham-Coyle2 November 2024 12:45
Inside the All Blacks rebuild: How rugby’s greatest brand must regain its sheen
For New Zelanad, the 2-0 series win over today’s opponents represents the high point of their year so far, with more than a few teething problems under Scott “Razor” Robertson. Have the All Blacks lost their aura?
Harry Latham-Coyle2 November 2024 12:30
Coaching upheaval sets up pivotal autumn for Steve Borthwick and England
All of that has rather overshadowed the build-up to a vital opening Test of the autumn. For Steve Borthwick, the last couple of months have not been as smooth as he would have liked, with the twin departures of strength and conditioning guru Aled Walters (who has joined Andy Farrell’s Ireland) and defence coach Felix Jones (serving a 12-month notice period while providing analysis from afar) rocking the England boss. After a series of near misses this year, this is a pivotal November.
Harry Latham-Coyle2 November 2024 12:15
Joe Marler apologises to New Zealand fans after calling for Haka to be scrapped
And then, on Thursday evening, Marler apologised to All Blacks fans for his comment – though still believes that the opposition should be able to provide a response to the haka.
Harry Latham-Coyle2 November 2024 12:00
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