All blacked out: defending champions lose to England
sually, lined up in an inverted ‘V’ formation, crossing the halfway line as the All Blacks performed their traditional prematch Haka.
BRILLIANT TEAM TRY And there were fewer than two minutes on the clock when England scored a brilliant team try.
Fullback Elliot Daly made a fine break down the right that was carried on by wing Anthony Watson before the ball was worked a c r o s s f i e l d, wit h hooker Jamie George charging forward.
Ford then found prop Kyle
Sinckler and he in turn released Lawes, who took the ball to the All Blacks’ line.
From the ensuing ruck, powerhouse centre Tuilagi—one of England’s try scorers when they last beat the All Blacks seven years ago— f orced hi s way between guard props Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala for a fine try.
Farrell converted and England led 7-0.
They almost had a second try minutes later when Tuilagi intercepted and found Farrell who passed to Jonny May.
But great corner-flagging by recalled flanker Scott Barrett stopped the wing in his tracks.
England made several more early visits to New Zealand’s 22 only for their own errors to cost them the chance of further points.
Underhill, who had a t ry against New Zealand last year controversially disallowed, went over in the 25th minute but referee Nigel Owens correctly ruled out the score for crossing by fellow flanker Tom Curry in the build-up.
Ford’s drop goal attempt sailed well wide of the right post but he made no mistake with a 45-metre penalty after a limping Farrell was unable to take the shot.
England thought they had their second try when, following a drive off an attacking line-out, scrum-half Ben Youngs went over after selling centre Anton Lienert-brown a dummy.
But Owens ruled it out for a knock-on in the maul.
An o t h e r F o r d p e n a l t y extended the lead but George’s overt hrown l i ne- out near England’s line was collected by Savea, with f l y- half Richie Mo’unga converting.
That, however, was as close as New Zealand got as two more Ford penalt i e s c r e at e d an unbridgeable gap for the defending champions.