New Zealand dealt England a deflating start to their autumn campaign as Mark Tele’a came back off the bench to score a decisive 76th-minute try and continue the All Blacks’ run of superiority.
England lost narrowly in two Tests against the All Blacks in July and a switch of hemisphere could not ultimately change the outcome as George Ford’s last-play drop-goal drifted agonisingly wide.
The hosts were on the back foot in the first half, fortunate to only be two points adrift as Marcus Smith’s boot repaired some of the damage from Tele’a and Will Jordan’s tries.
But Smith snatched an interception early in the second half to set up a try for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to give England the lead, before edging the hosts out to a 22-14 advantage.
Belief coursed through Twickenham but ultimately a performance of stubborn determination went unrewarded as Tele’a dived in late on to cap a period of pressure and England’s late rally, which also included a Ford penalty coming back off the post, came up just short.
England play Australia – ranked 10th in the world – next weekend, before a rematch with Rugby World Cup semi-final conquerors South Africa on 16 November.
Japan are their fourth and final opponent of the autumn on 24 November.
The pressure is now on Steve Borthwick’s side to recover from another narrow defeat with three victories.
More to follow.
