New Zealand edge out England 16-15 in tense, brutal first Test

DUNEDIN – The All Blacks denied England a rare win in New Zealand by prevailing 16-15 in a Dunedin dogfight on July 6 to claim the first Test of the series and give new coach Scott Robertson victory in his first match in charge.

There was a whiff of an upset in the air under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium, as Steve Borthwick’s England went toe-to-toe with the World Cup finalists and marched to a 15-10 lead early in the second half.

But fly-half Damian McKenzie shrugged off some early inaccuracy to boot two penalties and a turnover penalty at the ruck condemned the English to an eighth successive defeat by the hosts in New Zealand.

Robertson admitted on July 6 that the grinding win over England had delivered him a stark reality check on his Test coaching debut after seven years of dominance in Super Rugby.

“It definitely wasn’t Super Rugby, was it?” said Robertson, who steered Canterbury Crusaders to seven successive Super Rugby titles before taking charge of the All Blacks.

“The boys are really pleased, they said: ‘This is Test footy, well done coach, good on you’. I can’t say it was a good reminder, because it was my first (Test).

“It was a good experience for us all. It’s those air battles and all the small margins. You’ve just got to kick your goals. Every point and opportunity counts.”

He was seen on TV footage hitting the wall in the coaches’ box in frustration during some nervous moments in the second half.

“I’d like to say I was calm and composed. It’s a good way to let a little bit of steam off,” the 49-year-old Robertson smiled.

“I did get a bit emotional a couple of times but, as long as the messages are clear going down to the players, we’re all better for it – coaches, management and players.”

It was a furious contest from the get-go, though both sides squandered early chances. However, a superb cross-kick from McKenzie to Sevu Reece broke the deadlock in the 16th minute as the winger bolted over at the right corner for the first try in his first Test since 2022.

A false line-drive saw England hit back five minutes later, though, with Maro Itoje bursting over after flanker Chandler Cunningham-South drove the ball to the line.

The helter-skelter start continued as fullback Stephen Perofeta tore through midfield and released Ardie Savea down the right wing for the hosts’ second try to seize back the lead.

The lead stayed with the All Blacks to the brink of half-time, but a timely turnover by England centre Ollie Lawrence allowed Marcus Smith to knock over a penalty to level the game.

It was a vital boost before the break and England returned to the field breathing fire.

A Tommy Freeman line-break was held up a metre from the line, but Smith hurled the ball wide for an unmarked Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to jog over in the 48th minute.

Though Smith missed the conversion, England’s second try saw Robertson go to his bench early, bringing Beauden Barrett on to dig in at fullback.

With history beckoning, England’s discipline began to fray.

A ruck penalty allowed McKenzie to add three points with the boot and he nosed the hosts in front in the 65th minute with another kick for three after an offside penalty.

There was late drama as McKenzie lined up for another penalty kick and was timed out, handing England the ball for a last push, though it came to nothing.

“Immensely proud. We talked about just wearing them down with our ball-carry and breakdown,” said All Blacks captain Scott Barrett.

“They stayed in the arm-wrestle. That last quarter we managed to put them in their corner and sort of won that territory battle. Quickly, the boys have really come together under a new coaching system.”

England were left to rue late lapses in discipline that allowed McKenzie to find his kicking boots after he missed two conversion attempts in the first half.

Fly-half Smith will also lament a tough night off the tee, landing only two of his five kicks.

“Just a huge amount of pride for our boys, the way we fought and scrapped in that first half, in particular. Credit to the All Blacks in terms of how they played. A one-point game makes it exciting for next week,” said England skipper Jamie George.

The two-match series moves to Eden Park in Auckland, where England will again attempt their first win in New Zealand since 2003.

Also mustering a winning start to his reign as coach was Joe Schmidt, after Australia beat Wales 25-16 in a hard-fought encounter in Sydney on July 6.

Tries from prop Taniela Tupou, Filipo Daugunu and Tom Wright gave the Wallabies the edge in a scrappy contest between the world’s ninth and 10th-ranked teams, and condemned Warren Gatland’s side to an eighth straight loss. AFP, REUTERS