England 25-25 New Zealand: Hosts fight back to draw with All Blacks

England scored three tries in a stunning final eight minutes to salvage an extraordinary draw after being outplayed by New Zealand for much of their Autumn Nations Series match at Twickenham.

England clung on to the break, and Manu Tuilagi was stopped just short with his side 17-6 down early in the second half.

When Rieko Ioane sprinted clear after a cunning cross kick from Richie Mo’unga to score a third try, it seemed the tourists were out of sight.

But England – inaccurate and undisciplined to that point – roared back into life in the final 10 minutes as replacement Will Stuart scrambled over, Freddie Steward scorched in out wide and Stuart burrowed over again in the final minute.

Such was the belief that flowed through Twickenham as England rampaged forward against the fading All Blacks, Marcus Smith’s decision to boot the ball dead on the final play – rather than chase a victory that had seemed inconceivable just a quarter of an hour earlier – was greeted with some boos.

It was a surreal end to a strange match that marked both England captain Owen Farrell’s 100th appearance and the first meeting of the sides since the hosts’ superb semi-final victory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

And it is unlikely to dispel the questions surrounding either side after patchy seasons, a year out from France 2023.

New Zealand’s fast start, England’s fast finish

Any hope England had of replicating their rapid start in Yokohama evaporated inside the first eight minutes.

First, Papali’i raced in under the posts after flying out of the line at the back of a line-out to snaffle Jack van Poortvliet’s ponderous attempt to feed Farrell.

The 21-year-old England scrum-half, making only his third Test start, caught a glimpse of himself on the big screen as the camera cut to him under the posts. It was a moment to test the mettle of the most seasoned veteran, never mind a novice.

England sunk deeper into a hole when Taylor squirmed over at the back of a rolling maul shortly after.

Fourteen points adrift after 10 minutes, Twickenham was deflated. Their team could have been defeated inside 20.

Van Poortvliet was again exposed as Ardie Savea collared him at the back of an understaffed ruck, forcing a turnover and, after a string of phases, Rieko Ioane dived over.

But as New Zealand lined up a simple conversion for a 21-0 lead, referee Mathieu Raynal spotted a neck-roll clearout by Ioane.

England were reprieved and headed to the break a fortunate 17-3 down after Farrell and Jordie Barrett traded kicks.

Luke Cowan-Dickie earned a penalty from the kick-off for the second half to allow Smith to cut the gap to 17-6, before the England fly-half put Tuilagi through a hole with a deftly delayed pass.

Tuilagi was stopped just short though, and four minutes later the All Blacks seemed to have quashed the comeback flat.

Off turnover ball, Mo’unga picked out Clarke with a precise punt. The wing cut inside, halting England’s defence and switched with Ioane to open up a clear canter to the corner for the centre.

But England, out-fought and out-thought for the majority of the game and 25-6 down on 70 minutes, came on strong as they emptied the bench and New Zealand ran out of gas.

Stuart’s pair of close-range scores came either side of a sweeping move that ended with Steward diving over as New Zealand, down to 14 men after Beauden Barrett’s yellow card, fell off tackles and space opened.

The debrief will be difficult for both England boss Eddie Jones and Kiwi counterpart Ian Foster.

For the most part, New Zealand were everything you expect of them at their best.

They played smart, sparky rugby, quick in the head and hands. Their decision-making was clear and quick, in contrast to England’s muddle and hesitation.

But England’s spirit and belief survived and was fanned into flames late on as their opponents faded.

The hosts will know that more complete, consistent performances will be needed to contend over tournament campaigns against the world’s best.

Player of the match – Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)

What they said

England head coach Eddie Jones, speaking to Amazon Prime:

“I thought New Zealand were superb in the first half. They were aggressive they won the ruck and when they had the opportunities they were able to score.

“We hung in there a lot and you always get the chance to attack, and we had that at the end.

“We put in some of the things we have worked on – running straighter, attacking gaps, quicker support play and it was fantastic.”

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster, speaking to Amazon Prime:

“It’s 25-all, there is a lot of drama, some close calls with TMOs but you have to take your hat off to England. I am proud of the first 70 [minutes]. We played the kind of rugby we have been searching for.

“I thought we dominated for large parts of it. Test matches are tough. I am pleased with our growth, I am pleased with our young guys and where we are going.”

England: Steward; Nowell, Tuilagi, Farrell (capt), May; Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Simmonds, Curry, Vunipola.

Replacements: George, M Vunipola, Stuart, Ribbans, Willis, Youngs, Porter, Slade

New Zealand: B Barrett; Telea, Ioane, J Barrett, Clarke; Mo’unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Retallick, Whitelock (c), S Barrett, Papali’i, Savea

Replacements: Taukei’aho, Bower, Laulala, Frizzell, Sotutu, Perenara, Havili, Lienert-BrownEngland: Steward; Nowell, Tuilagi, Farrell (capt), May; Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Simmonds, Curry, Vunipola.