England snagged an unexpected 25-25 draw against New Zealand on Saturday night, as they accumulated a 19-point deficit with 9 minutes remaining.
The All Blacks had achieved a top performance so far: dominating in collisions and more powerful, they perfectly managed English faults one year from the 2023 World Cup. But, after 70 minutes of defending wonderfully and a yellow card, they conceded three tries in eight minutes.
A white-hot stadium after a haka covered by the English "Swing Low Sweet Chariot", a standard team without injuries, and a desire to confirm the great success in Japan: on paper, everything was in place to attend an entry into matter similar to that experienced in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup (19-7), where England had taken the best of the New Zealanders.
Perhaps upset by this painful memory, and the matches without much relief disputed this year, the triple world champions have put their foot on the accelerator.
Perfect start for the All Blacks
After a crazy first action, Papali'i calmed all Twickenham by intercepting a sluggish pass from Van Poortvliet to go and score alone against (5th).
The intensity put on by both teams showed just how much this was the game ticked off by both teams during this tour.
But on a carried ball, the Blacks won the front of the XV de la Rose and the first break was made, signed hooker Taylor (8th, 0-14).
Symbol of a team in difficulty, the young scrum half Van Poortvliet was still put in difficulty by Savea and led a few moments later to the third try of the Blacks, finally refused on video for a clearing too high of the marker Ioane (17th) .
The English, dominated but not apathetic, had a few opportunities to reduce the score, without however succeeding in crossing the curtain of the Blacks.
A fantastic comeback
The superiority of the men with the fern in conquest, whether in scrum, in touch and on the balls carried, obviously facilitated this success.
Another weapon particularly effective and surely used following video analysis, the crosses at the foot of Jordie Barrett.
Seen several times, one of them hit the mark in the second period.
Clarke received at the entrance from 22 yards, stored for Ioane who ran 80 yards to score.
With the drop of Beauden Barrett (71st, 6-25), the outcome seemed understood.
Marcus Smith then came out of his box to provoke the yellow card of Beauden Barrett (71st) and the test of Stuart some playing time later.
Remotivated, the English played all the balls by hand and scored in quick succession by Steward (74th) and again Suart (79th).
Returning to equality, the English finally saw Marcus Smith wisely choose to clear in touch rather than aiming for victory.
