All Blacks Edge England in Nail-Biting Clash

Tries from Maro Itoje and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, as well as five points from the boot of Marcus Smith was not enough at Forsyth Barr Stadium, as a Damian McKenzie penalty made the difference for New Zealand.

England's first opportunity came five minutes into the Test after winning a scrum penalty 40 metres out, but Smith pushed his effort left of the posts.

Sevu Reece crossed for the hosts 10 minutes later, collecting a cross-field kick from McKenzie to dive over the line, though New Zealand's fly-half was unable to add the extras.

Fin Baxter made his Test debut replacing Joe Marler on the 17-minute mark as England grew into the match. Off a five metre lineout, Ben Earl peeled off and lifted a pass into the path of the onrushing Chandler Cunningham-South, who steamed through the Kiwi defence before being brought down just short of the line. Itoje picked from the base of the ruck and surged over to claim his sixth Test try. Smith's conversion made it 5-7.

The lead was to be short lived as Ardie Savea bagged the All Blacks' second try minutes later making it a three point game, but Smith levelled the affair at 10-10 on the stroke of half time after a neat penalty kick.

Though the half time stats showed a controlled New Zealand performance as they boasted more possession (59%), metres made (209) and carries (75) than Steve Borthwick's men - it did not represent the competitive fight shown by the visitors.

The resumption saw England attacking with intent, as Cunningham-South and Tommy Freeman powered through holes in the hosts' defence, and after just eight minutes Feyi-Waboso was found on his wing and duly cantered over to give England the lead at 10-15.

On 52 minutes Dan Cole came on to earn his 114th Test cap - drawing level with Jason Leonard as England's second most capped men's player. Moments later McKenzie popped a penalty over to reduce the deficit to two points.

McKenzie put New Zealand back in front with a well taken penalty on 65 minutes, as Feyi-Waboso made way for Ollie Sleightholme's Test debut.

England fought hard until the end, but struggled to gain possession, and the men in black held on to confirm the narrow win.

TEAMS

England
15. George Furbank, 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13. Henry Slade – vice-captain, 12. Ollie Lawrence, 11. Tommy Freeman, 10. Marcus Smith, 9. Alex Mitchell, 1. Joe Marler – vice-captain, 2. Jamie George – captain, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Maro Itoje – vice-captain, 5. George Martin, 6. Chandler Cunningham-South, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Ben Earl – vice-captain.

Replacements

16. Theo Dan, 17. Fin Baxter, 18. Dan Cole, 19. Alex Coles, 20. Tom Curry, 21. Ben Spencer, 22. Fin Smith, 23. Ollie Sleightholme.

New Zealand
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Scott Barrett (Captain), 5. Patrick Tuipulotu, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Mark Tele’a, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Stephen Perofeta.

Replacements

16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Luke Jacobson, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Beauden Barrett.