England go close but All Blacks have enough to take honours
The Rugby Paper|July 07, 2024
ENGLAND may have rattled and rolled New Zealand at times in Dunedin yesterday, but it was still a case of so near, yet so far, for Steve Borthwick’s new-model side in a pulsating opening Test in which both teams scored two tries and the lead changed hands five times.
NICK CAIN
England go close but All Blacks  have enough to take honours

Ultimately, however, it was New Zealand, who took the honours by a single point thanks to a Damian McKenzie penalty with 15 minutes left on the clock – and it could have been by a wider margin if the All Black fly-half had not allowed the shot-clock to run out as he lined up another penalty in front of the posts in the penultimate minute.

By the same token, if his England counterpart Marcus Smith had had his best kicking boots on, rather than leaving eight points out on the pitch, McKenzie’s last two efforts might have been academic – and a 21-year wait for a third win on New Zealand soil over.

The portents were in England’s favour going into this first Test, because, for once, they arrived in New Zealand well prepared and primed, with a successful warm-up game against Japan and three weeks of training – as opposed to the previous pattern of a fragmented, jet-lagged squad arriving in dribs and drabs in the aftermath of a Premiership final.

They are also two years into Borthwick’s tenure with six Tests under their belts since the 2023 World Cup. By contrast, New Zealand had a new coach in Scott Robertson, who faced his first Test in charge with a team which had not played a Test since losing the World Cup final to South Africa by a point eight months ago, and had only 10 days of preparation.

Yet, despite England’s much-improved blitz defence putting a python-like squeeze on new skipper Scott Barrett’s side, they had just enough to edge out the tourists. There was precious little in it, with both sides competing ferociously for every scrap of possession, and while England were predictably under pressure at the scrum, and came second in the breakdown battle, they had their fair share of gains.

Jamie George’s crew counter-punched strongly by making a mess of New Zealand’s lineout, and their press defence shaped by assistant coach Felix Jones forced the host nation into multiple errors, and denied them attacking space.

この記事は The Rugby Paper の July 07, 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は The Rugby Paper の July 07, 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

THE RUGBY PAPERのその他の記事すべて表示
Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
The Rugby Paper

Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn

OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.

time-read
2 分  |
November 17, 2024
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
The Rugby Paper

McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority

EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.

time-read
2 分  |
November 17, 2024
Trinity aim to get the culture right
The Rugby Paper

Trinity aim to get the culture right

HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.

time-read
2 分  |
November 17, 2024
YOUNG GUNS
The Rugby Paper

YOUNG GUNS

Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.

time-read
2 分  |
November 17, 2024
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker  over Lucs
The Rugby Paper

The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs

CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.

time-read
2 分  |
November 17, 2024
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
The Rugby Paper

A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher

A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.

time-read
1 min  |
November 17, 2024
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
The Rugby Paper

Chiefs in hunt for new investment

TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.

time-read
3 分  |
November 17, 2024
McParland keen to shine for England A
The Rugby Paper

McParland keen to shine for England A

NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.

time-read
3 分  |
November 17, 2024
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
The Rugby Paper

Undercard get chance to show their A-game

ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.

time-read
4 分  |
November 17, 2024
England look like a clueless rabble
The Rugby Paper

England look like a clueless rabble

I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.

time-read
1 min  |
November 17, 2024