New Zealand vs England LIVE! Result, updates and latest reaction after First Test thriller

Steve Borthwick’s side go down by a single point after spirited display in Dunedin clash
George Flood6 July 2024

England agonisingly lost by just a single point in their First Test against the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday. Damian McKenzie’s two second-half penalties after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s try had edged the tourists back in front sealed a narrow 16-15 triumph for New Zealand in their first match of 2024 and first under new head coach Scott Robertson.

New Zealand had taken an initial lead under the closed roof at a sold-out Forsyth Barr Stadium after an opening try from wing Sevu Reece, with reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Ardie Savea also crossing in the corner after Maro Itoje had hit back for England from close range. Both fly-halves experienced tough days from the tee, with Marcus Smith hitting only two of his five kicks as opposite number McKenzie also struggled.

The two-match summer series will conclude next weekend at Auckland’s Eden Park - where the All Blacks have not lost now for some 30 years. England, meanwhile, still have not beaten the All Blacks on New Zealand soil since 2003. Follow New Zealand vs England reaction live below!

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6 July 2024

Scott Robertson relieved as New Zealand win 'arm wrestle'

New All Blacks boss Scott Robertson was relieved to see his side squeeze out a narrow win in Dunedin...

"It was a hell of an arm wrestle. We didn't get our kick-game right. It was a bit of a grind but we got there,” he said.

"The scrum was immense and won a couple of vital penalties.

"That's our first hit of the year and we're on a pretty steep learning curve so it's good to start with a win.

"We've tried to keep it simple but we didn't quite deal with their line speed so we learned a lot there for next week."

6 July 2024

Captain Scott Barrett 'proud' of All Blacks display

And here are Scott Barrett’s thoughts after his first game as captain ended in victory for the All Blacks...

"I'm proud of a group that came together in 10 days and played a pretty sharp England side," he said.

"Within that 80 minutes was bit of a reminder of what Test match footy is about.

"There were arm wrestles everywhere - set-piece, scrum battle, breakdown. Different layers of pressure.

“We adapted pretty well to the game and managed to get back in it and get back in front."

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6 July 2024

Jamie George pinpoints areas for England improvement: 'We must learn fast'

Here’s England captain Jamie George speaking to Sky Sports...

"First and foremost I'm very proud of this team,” he said.

“Not a lot of teams come to New Zealand and do that and that shows a huge amount of growth in this team.

"We wanted to make people back home very proud and I think we did that with our effort. It was very fine margins.

"There are definitely some areas to look at - scrum is one, breakdown is probably another.

"We'll do a lot of honest work this week and make sure we go to Eden Park fully prepared. We'll learn and we'll grow and we'll get better.

"We've got to learn fast, which is something we pride ourselves on. We'll be as prepared as we possibly can be. There will be a few sore bodies.

"We have to get the bodies and the minds right because this is a really exciting week for us."

6 July 2024

Steve Borthwick laments 'fine margins' after England loss

"It was fine margins, two tries apiece. There wasn't much in that at all," England head coach Steve Borthwick said.

"The second half was a real arm wrestle in the middle of the field.

“Neither team got into the opposition 22 very often. There wasn't much in it.

"Immense credit to New Zealand for taking their opportunities and getting over the line in the end.

“The New Zealand bench was very good and played a very smart second half."

6 July 2024

A one-point loss will be very sore indeed for England now, but they can be proud of what was a superb and highly-spirited effort for the most part.

Marcus Smith’s missed kicks will inevitably be a big talking point, but Damian McKenzie also botched two conversions and had the shot clock expire on him at a late penalty.

There wasn’t much in a thrilling and physical game at all, but on such fine margins are Test matches decided at this level.

England defended staunchly but were just a bit lacking in attack and off the tee.

Whatever is said about this current All Blacks crop, coming to New Zealand and going toe to toe with them is never, ever an easy task.

There is a nagging feeling though that England may just have seen their best chance to end that 21-year run without a win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil slip through their fingers.

AP
6 July 2024

So England’s long, long wait for only a third-ever Test win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil goes on - for another week at least.

Next up it’s the second and final instalment of the two-match summer series at Auckland’s Eden Park in seven days’ time - a venue at which the All Blacks have remarkably not lost since 1994.

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6 July 2024

New Zealand 16-15 England

Full-time

6 July 2024

New Zealand 16-15 England

81 mins: And that is that unfortunately for England as Henry Slade is cut down by Tupou Vaa'i.

It was Dalton Papali’i who was straight in there at the breakdown to earn ultimately a match-sealing penalty with the clock in the red.

All that is left is for the relieved All Blacks to knock into touch and the final whistle sounds.

6 July 2024

New Zealand 16-15 England

79 mins: This is it for England now as they punt for touch midway into the All Black half.

Any points will do...

6 July 2024

New Zealand 16-15 England

78 mins: Oh wow!

Damian McKenzie takes too long over the kick and the shot clock expires.

How important could that be?!

England have the scrum with a minute to go...

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