There were plenty of positives but the bottom line is that Steve Borthwick and England missed a huge chance to claim a historic win in New Zealand, writes SIR CLIVE WOODWARD
- England had hoped to secure revenge for their one-point loss a decade ago
- They had led 15-10 early in the second half but Scott Robertson started with win
- Borthwick's side must now end a 30-year Kiwi rule to avoid a 2-0 series defeat
There were so, so many positives to take from England’s display in Dunedin.
But the bottom line is that Steve Borthwick and his players missed a huge, huge opportunity to claim what would have been an historic win in New Zealand. They will be shattered to have lost by the narrowest of margins and should have plenty of regrets about doing so.
International rugby is about results. That’s all that matters. And New Zealand were absolutely there for the taking. So, while England can be very pleased with their performance, the bottom line is they lost the game.
Borthwick has a really talented team. England are at the start of their journey, but this defeat by the All Blacks will, I’m sure, prove a more-than-valuable lesson in how to win tight Test matches.
That said, chances to win in New Zealand are few and far between and this was certainly one. The loss will sting England’s players and Borthwick as coach for a while that’s for certain.
England will be shattered to have lost by the narrowest of margins and should have plenty of regrets about doing so
Steve Borthwick has a talented team. England are at the start of their journey, but this defeat by the All Blacks could prove a more-than-valuable lesson
Borthwick's side had hoped to get revenge for a one-point defeat at the same venue 10 years ago
Marcus Smith missed three kicks at goal. But I wouldn’t dwell on them too much. The reason I say that is that if Smith had been successful with those shots, the All Blacks would have had to have changed their game and played differently so who knows what would have happened.
While the missed kicks were obviously not ideal from an English perspective, I don’t think they were the sole crucial factor in defeat.
New Zealand also missed some kicks. I don’t blame Smith. I thought he had a good game and attacked well, summed up by his creating of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s try.
Both teams were brilliant in the first half. It was international rugby at its best.
But in the second, nerves took hold and England in particular kicked a lot, desperately trying to gain the field position they enjoyed in the first half.
Beauden Barrett in contrast played a very clever kicking game coming on for the last 20 minutes. Perhaps his cool, experienced head was ultimately the difference. When England debrief this game, I wonder if they will look back on the second 40 and think whether they could have played a bit more.
Could they maybe have dropped a goal too? That’s always an option I like.
England certainly put New Zealand under pressure.
Their blitz defence was very good with Henry Slade regularly flying up. It looks to me like the defence has improved significantly from the Six Nations.
Yes the All Blacks scored two tries and had their moments in attack, but a side as good as New Zealand is always going to create chances.
Damian McKenzie's late penalty secured victory for the hosts, who had trailed 15-10 early on in the second half
Sevu Reece twisted past Tommy Freeman to score first try of the game and the Robertson era
England can’t dwell on Smith’s missed kicks. But they should have won the match. You could see the relief on Scott Robertson’s face at getting his first win under his belt. That was a tough game for New Zealand with only 10 days together since November under a new coach, experienced players now gone, and new combinations to foster. They will be delighted with the win.
Borthwick is building an impressive team and England had star performers across the match. Chandler-Cunningham South had a big game and Feyi-Waboso was superb.
The Exeter wing scored a try, but he did far more than that. He ultimately set up his own try in the second half choosing to run from deep instead of kick, with Slade working hard to get back there too. Feyi-Waboso’s defence was superb and for a young player the all-round attributes of his game were there to see. He didn’t put a foot wrong.
Maro Itoje stepped up and I was impressed by George Furbank. The full-back took two massive hits but shrugged them off like a champion boxer.
Ollie Lawrence, who was the man I was most interested in watching from an England perspective, had a solid game. Like Feyi-Waboso, there is still more to come from him and that’s hugely exciting. The first 50 minutes showed real progress in attack and Smith looked the part in a hostile environment.
I would love to see an alternative reality of this game where Smith and Alex Mitchell played the full 80 minutes.
One thing England won’t be happy with – apart from the obvious of the result – is the scrum.
I thought Fin Baxter did really well on debut after coming on as an early replacement for Joe Marler.
Marcus Smith impressed, but at times struggled with his kicking and missed an opportunity to put his side ahead early
But he had to play for far longer than I’m sure Borthwick had planned and there’s no doubt New Zealand had the better of the set-piece. They also counter-rucked England on several occasions which is something that Borthwick, as a forward specialist, won’t have been happy with.
The All Blacks weren’t sensational by any stretch. And they will be better for Saturday’s second Test in Auckland after getting a game under their belt. That is a concern for England.
And it’s also another the reason why this defeat will and should hurt the team for some time.
