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NZL vs ENG
International Men's Rugby
Eden Park, Auckland
New Zealand
vs
England
24
FT
17
Videos
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 24 - 17
That wraps things up from this one, with the All Blacks now looking to their trip to San Diego to face Fiji, ahead of The Rugby Championship. They'll see England again later in the year, in what promises to be yet another cracking clash. Until then, this is Ryan Nixon (@NewYorkNIxon) signing off.
For England, they came with plenty of ambition to try and win this series, and got pretty close without coming away with a win. Maro Itoje and Jamie George were immense leading the way up front, with Chandler Cunningham-South, George Martin and Will Stuart also having impressive outings. Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith controlled the game astutely with their boots, while Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme had some wonderful moments out wide. Ultimately, they couldn't quite nail their chances, with some poor kick options on attack hurting them, and their inability to stick with the All Blacks once the pace went up a notch ultimately the difference.
It was a thrilling encounter, with periods of hectic, helter skelter rugby interspersed with the chess match kicking duels that England largely controlled. England did a great job of pressuring the All Blacks lineout, although the All Blacks did pinch a few in the second half to help even the ledger, while the black scrum always had the edge. Beauden Barrett's class was clearly evident when he entered, but he wasn't the only bench player to impact. Cortez Ratima was assured on debut, Fletcher Newell and Ofa Tuungafasi scrummaged well, while Anton Lienert-Brown had some nice touches as well. Mark Tele'a took a couple of chances well, while Dalton Papalii and Ardie Savea toiled hard in the loose.
The game seemingly changed in an instant though, as Beauden Barrett entered the fray, and seemed to turn everything he touched into gold. A couple of wonderful low gathers in his own end, some neat kicking, and then a scintillating break to set up Mark Tele'a for his second try ensured the All Blacks went back in front, and they never really looked in danger of losing from that moment. England threw everything at them late to try snatch a draw, but an Ardie Savea steal and a lineout drive obstruction ensured the All Blacks notched up yet another Eden Park victory.
So New Zealand get home in another humdinger of a test match! This followed something of a similar pattern to the first, with the All Blacks threatening in the first half to carve England open, only for the visitors to hang tough, scramble defensively, and with Marcus Smith in sublime touch, somehow finding themselves in front thanks to a couple of wonderful cross kicks. England started the better in the second half, and as Smith and Alex Mitchell controlled things with their kicking, they edged out to a handy four point lead.
80+1'
It's no try, and it's a penalty to the All Blacks! Lawrence and George broke away from the maul, with Lawrence in front of the ball and obstructing! That'll do it!
80+1'
Itoje takes, and this time England drive. It goes nowhere, so some of the backs join. It powers towards the line, but appears held up. Beauden Barrett is underneath it, but they will check...
80'
England end up spilling in contact, but the All Blacks were offside prior. Penalty, and England will get one more chance. The draw is the best hope now though, as Fin Smith finds touch 7m out.
79'
Martin with the lineout, and Earl peels away infield. Next phase though England get isolated, and Savea pinches a clean steal! Beauden Barrett is able to clear to touch up near the 10, with Marcus Smith - back out there - throwing quickly. England surge back into the 22...