There have been so, so many positives to take from England’s show in Dunedin.
However the backside line is that Steve Borthwick and his gamers missed an enormous, big alternative to say what would have been an historic win in New Zealand. They are going to be shattered to have misplaced by the narrowest of margins and will have loads of regrets about doing so.
Worldwide rugby is about outcomes. That’s all that issues. And New Zealand have been completely there for the taking. So, whereas England could be more than happy with their efficiency, the underside line is that they misplaced the sport.
Borthwick has a extremely proficient group. England are firstly of their journey, however this defeat by the All Blacks will, I’m certain, show a more-than-valuable lesson in the best way to win tight Take a look at matches.
That stated, possibilities to win in New Zealand are few and much between and this was definitely one. The loss will sting England’s gamers and Borthwick as coach for some time that’s for sure.
England can be shattered to have misplaced by the narrowest of margins and will have loads of regrets about doing so
Steve Borthwick has a proficient group. England are firstly of their journey, however this defeat by the All Blacks might show a more-than-valuable lesson
Borthwick’s facet had hoped to get revenge for a one-point defeat on the similar venue 10 years in the past
Marcus Smith missed three kicks at objective. However I wouldn’t dwell on them an excessive amount of. The rationale I say that’s that if Smith had been profitable with these photographs, the All Blacks would have needed to have modified their recreation and performed in a different way so who is aware of what would have occurred.
Whereas the missed kicks have been clearly not superb from an English perspective, I don’t assume they have been the only real essential consider defeat.
New Zealand additionally missed some kicks. I don’t blame Smith. I assumed he had an excellent recreation and attacked properly, summed up by his creating of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s attempt.
Each groups have been good within the first half. It was worldwide rugby at its greatest.
However within the second, nerves took maintain and England particularly kicked rather a lot, desperately making an attempt to achieve the sphere place they loved within the first half.
Beauden Barrett in distinction performed a really intelligent kicking recreation approaching for the final 20 minutes. Maybe his cool, skilled head was finally the distinction. When England debrief this recreation, I ponder if they are going to look again on the second 40 and assume whether or not they might have performed a bit extra.
May they perhaps have dropped a objective too? That’s at all times an choice I like.
England definitely put New Zealand beneath strain.
Their blitz defence was superb with Henry Slade recurrently flying up. It appears to be like to me just like the defence has improved considerably from the Six Nations.
Sure the All Blacks scored two tries and had their moments in assault, however a facet pretty much as good as New Zealand is at all times going to create possibilities.
Damian McKenzie’s late penalty secured victory for the hosts, who had trailed 15-10 early on within the second half
Sevu Reece twisted previous Tommy Freeman to attain first attempt of the sport and the Robertson period
England can’t dwell on Smith’s missed kicks. However they need to have gained the match. You would see the aid on Scott Robertson’s face at getting his first win beneath his belt. That was a troublesome recreation for New Zealand with solely 10 days collectively since November beneath a brand new coach, skilled gamers now gone, and new combos to foster. They are going to be delighted with the win.
Borthwick is constructing a formidable group and England had star performers throughout the match. Chandler-Cunningham South had a giant recreation and Feyi-Waboso was excellent.
The Exeter wing scored a attempt, however he did way over that. He finally arrange his personal attempt within the second half selecting to run from deep as a substitute of kick, with Slade working arduous to get again there too. Feyi-Waboso’s defence was excellent and for a younger participant the all-round attributes of his recreation have been there to see. He didn’t put a foot flawed.
Maro Itoje stepped up and I used to be impressed by George Furbank. The total-back took two huge hits however shrugged them off like a champion boxer.
Ollie Lawrence, who was the person I used to be most inquisitive about watching from an England perspective, had a stable recreation. Like Feyi-Waboso, there may be nonetheless extra to come back from him and that’s vastly thrilling. The primary 50 minutes confirmed actual progress in assault and Smith appeared the half in a hostile setting.
I might like to see an alternate actuality of this recreation the place Smith and Alex Mitchell performed the complete 80 minutes.
One factor England gained’t be proud of – other than the plain of the consequence – is the scrum.
I assumed Fin Baxter did very well on debut after approaching as an early alternative for Joe Marler.
Marcus Smith impressed, however at instances struggled along with his kicking and missed a possibility to place his facet forward early
However he needed to play for much longer than I’m certain Borthwick had deliberate and there’s little question New Zealand had the higher of the set-piece. Additionally they counter-rucked England on a number of events which is one thing that Borthwick, as a ahead specialist, gained’t have been proud of.
The All Blacks weren’t sensational by any stretch. And they are going to be higher for Saturday’s second Take a look at in Auckland after getting a recreation beneath their belt. That may be a concern for England.
And it’s additionally one other the rationale why this defeat will and will harm the group for a while.
