ENGLAND PLAYER RATINGS: Which player looked devastating against New Zealand on the heels of his breakthrough season? And who looked short of match practice in Auckland?
- England were beaten 24-17 by New Zealand as the hosts sealed a 2-0 series win
- All Blacks maintained formidable record of not losing at Eden Park since 1994
England were beaten 24-17 by New Zealand in Auckland as the All Blacks sealed a 2-0 series win.
Steve Borthwick’s side were narrowly edged out for the second weekend running as the hosts maintained their formidable record of not having lost at Eden Park since 1994.
The All Blacks trailed by four points until Beauden Barrett was introduced off the bench to inspire them to victory.
The world player of the year set up the second of winger Mark Tele'a's two tries in the 61st minute.
Here, MailSport’s Alex Bywater rates the players.
England were beaten 24-17 by New Zealand as All Blacks sealed a 2-0 series win in Auckland
The All blacks maintained their formidable record of not losing at Eden Park since 1994
ENGLAND
Freddie Steward – 5, Replacement for injured George Furbank. Caught too often by New Zealand tacklers in the back field and was left exposed on the edge for second home try. Understandably looked short of match practice.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – 8.5, A player of such promise. Capped breakthrough season with fine finish. Devastating in attack and reliable in defence. Always hungry for work and now a key figure.
Henry Slade – 6, He plays a crucial role in England’s blitz defence system which is improving. Helped shut down New Zealand’s attacks but it wasn’t enough for victory.
Ollie Lawrence – 5.5, His first attacking carry ended with a knock on and we didn’t see him involved enough in attack. Penalised right at the death for obstruction.
Tommy Freeman – 8, Good scramble defence stopped Codie Taylor and he then scored crucial try on the half-time whistle to give his team a narrow lead. Impressive.
Marcus Smith – 8.5, Long-range drop goal didn’t come close but he produced two outstanding cross-kicks to create tries for Feyi-Waboso and Freeman and brilliant last-ditch defence stopped a home score. Kicked well from tee too. Surprisingly substituted but returned at full-back after Steward suffered head injury.
Freddie Steward (second left) was understandably looked short of match practice
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso looked devastating in attack and reliable in defence
Alex Mitchell – 6, Moves the ball both sides of the ruck well. Wasn’t helped by England not being at their best at the breakdown, especially late on. Went the full 80.
Fin Baxter – 7, First Test start and really built on debut last week. Carried and tackled his heart out and lasted 69 minutes. Will surely be a regular moving forward.
Jamie George (capt) – 6.5, A fine leader of men who had to play the full 80 after his replacement Theo Dan lasted mere seconds. Will be gutted to have lost again.
Will Stuart – 5.5, Part of an English scrum which was under pressure and he collapsed on one occasion. Good work around the park but replaced soon after the break.
Maro Itoje – 6.5, Conceded two first-half penalties and two more in final quarter. Was a thorn in the New Zealand side otherwise and helped disrupt poor home line-out but his ill-discipline hurt England at key moments.
George Martin – 7.5, He has earned plenty of admirers in New Zealand which is no mean feat. Never takes a backward step and got to grips with Jordie Barrett in one skirmish.
Marcus Smith's long-range drop goal didn’t come close but he produced two outstanding cross-kicks
Maro Itoje conceded two first-half penalties and two more in the final quarter
Chandler Cunningham-South – 7, Smashed back in early carry by two All Black tackles. But he did more than his fair share of damage too and has been a real find.
Sam Underhill – 6.5, Brushed off a knock to produce all-action display for 50 minutes before giving way for Tom Curry.
Ben Earl – 6, Undoubtedly one of England’s best players this season but didn’t quite hit those peaks in Auckland. Conceded penalty that allowed New Zealand to make it 13-7.
Coach: Steve Borthwick – 6
Replacements:
Theo Dan (for George, 50) – 5, Forced off for head injury assessment almost immediately after coming on following nasty blow.
Bevan Rodd (for Baxter, 69) – 5.5, Had a tough act to follow and struggled up against All Black replacement tighthead Fletcher Newell who had a big impact.
Dan Cole (for Stuart, 50) – 6, Moved into second on the list of England men’s all-time appearance makers when he appeared off the bench for his 115th cap in the second half.
Alex Coles (for Cunningham-South, 63) – 5, Pinged by the referee alongside Itoje for penalty that allowed New Zealand to seal the game.
Bevan Rodd (right) had a tough act to follow and struggled up against All Black replacement tighthead Fletcher Newell
Tom Curry (for Underhill, 50) – 6, Gave it his all but still working his way back to full fitness after serious hip injury.
Fin Smith (for M Smith, 63) – 5, Couldn’t spark a comeback at No 10 after replacing namesake Marcus.
Ollie Sleightholme (for Feyi-Waboso, 69) – 6.5, Dashing run down the left wing as England chased the game showed what he can do.
Replacement not used: Ben Spencer
New Zealand
S Perofeta 5 (B Barrett 50, 8.5); S Reece 6.5, R Ioane 5.5 (A Lienert-Brown 60,5.5), J Barrett 7, M Tele'a 8.5; D McKenzie 7.5, F Christie 6.5 (C Ratima 54,6); E De Groot 5.5 (O Tu'ungafasi 50,6.5), C Taylor 5.5 (A Aumua 65,7.5), T Lomax 6.5 (F Newell 55,8), S Barrett (capt) 7, P Tuipulotu 6 (T Vaa'I 55,6.5), S Finau 6 (L Jacobson 50,6.5), D Papali'I 7, A Savea 8
