England will go away Dunedin understanding they’d a really actual probability to earn their first win towards the All Blacks on New Zealand soil in 21 years, however in the end fell 16-15 because the hosts have been in a position to grind their option to a win. But it surely was a Check match that might have gone both manner.
Aim-kicking, scrummaging and pace on the breakdown are the areas Steve Borthwick will know England must work on this week, however there have been loads of positives for the pinnacle coach.
There have been a handful of gamers that have been unfortunate to be on the shedding facet, and will have a degree to show subsequent week in Auckland. Right here’s how the gamers rated:
England XV15. George Furbank – 8A near-faultless show within the backfield from the Saint, and summed up England’s perspective. Robust carries from deep and a few monstrous tackles- significantly on Rieko Ioane early on. Was put below a late aerial onslaught by the All Blacks, however stood as much as the problem doggedly. Didn’t need to be a loser, like a lot of his teammates.
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – 7Learned early on that the All Blacks have been going to check England’s blitz defence from anyplace, at any time, so was known as upon to make some important defensive reads. Threatening both facet of the ball all night and bagged his attempt to full what was a staff effort.
Match Abstract 
13. Henry Slade – 6Defending within the No.13 channel in England’s system is an unenviable process, and inevitably it’s not at all times going to flatter a participant however Slade confirmed what a canny participant he’s within the midfield. A efficiency shy of the offensive affect the Exeter Chief would have wished to make, however the All Blacks are by no means going to permit swashbuckling rugby.
12. Ollie Lawrence – 7Yet once more exhibited why he’s a lot greater than only a bruising No.12 with a well-rounded efficiency within the midfield. Counter-rucked, stripped, jackaled for quite a lot of turnovers. His probing grubber kick set the platform for England’s first attempt from the following lineout, displaying there may be loads of subtlety to his recreation.
11. Tommy Freeman – 5The All Blacks’ two tries have been on his wing and although he was severely remoted for the opening cross-field kick rating, his positioning was poor for the second- though he would have anticipated Ben Earl to latch onto Stephen Perofeta. That may result in gamers attempting to power it a bit an excessive amount of, which led to a knock-on quickly after. He was, nonetheless, in a position to iron out many points after the break, and got here off his wing properly within the second 40.
10. Marcus Smith – 5Inexcusable miss in entrance of the posts early within the second half, however bounced again instantly with some passes timed to absolute perfection as England scored their second attempt. After being penned again within the first half resulting from New Zealand’s territorial supremacy, he was in a position to specific himself far more after the break as England gained extra management. Sadly, two kicks from 5 are the statistics that may outline Check matches, and that proved to be the case in Dunedin.
9. Alex Mitchell – 6Kicked sharply to carry his chasers into the sport and sniped across the breakdown to check the All Blacks defence on loads of events. An important cog defensively, significantly in wider channels towards a staff that had loads of need to maneuver the ball.
1. Joe Marler – 5Scrum penalty gained with 5 minutes on the clock in his battle with Tyrel Lomax, however discovered himself marching backwards a couple of minutes later. Left the sector injured earlier than 20 minutes had elapsed.
2. Jamie George – 6Produced a lineout throw that may be labelled ‘comically unhealthy’, however England wouldn’t have seen the humorous facet because the All Blacks got the platform to attain their opener. A whopping 15 tackles within the first half alone is exactly how any captain would wish to lead by instance.
3. Will Stuart – 6Manhandled after ten minutes by Ethan de Groot on the scrum, albeit by pretty doubtful scrummaging. Acquired his revenge early within the second half because the scrum determination went his manner, which ought to have allowed England to take the lead with the following penalty, earlier than leaving the sector after 50 minutes.
4. Maro Itoje – 8Ripped the ball from Mark Telea seconds into the match and that despatched a message as to what was to return. A menace on the breakdown not solely by turning the ball over however by slowing the All Blacks down. Too fast for the All Blacks’ defence when he swooped for the attempt line from shut quarters because the guests responded to some early stress. Put the All Blacks’ lineout below immense stress within the second half, which sabotaged many probabilities the hosts would have needed to exert some stress.
5. George Martin – 7Showed precisely why Borthwick picks him with a freakish counter ruck from a mendacity place within the opening 40. Imposing within the tight, placing his granite shoulders to good use. Forging a superb partnership within the second row with Maro Itoje.
Factors Movement Chart
New Zealand win +1
Time in lead
46%
% Of Sport In Lead
26%
59%
Possession Final 10 min
41%
6. Chandler Cunningham-South – 7Representing the nation of his delivery towards the nation he spent most of his youth in, and each England fan can be ecstatic the 21-year-old can be donning white for a few years to return.
Maro Itoje might have opened the scoring for England, but it surely was Chandler Cunningham-South’s burst in direction of the road the part earlier than that allowed his lock the possibility to pounce. Went up one other gear in his ten-minute stint within the second half earlier than being replaced- chased kicks and tackled arduous. Had a hand within the second attempt, as he glided via a spot created by fellow Quin Marcus Smith within the build-up to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s end. Could have left some viewers bemused that he was eliminated so early, as England appeared to lack his punchy presence.
7. Sam Underhill – 5.5The England openside has produced a few of his career-best performances towards the All Blacks, however this was perhaps not a classic defensive show by him. Not that he essentially did something flawed, however simply quieter than typical. Was tasked with placing Damian McKenzie below stress, which was an intriguing battle.
8. Ben Earl – 5.5Missed a sort out anybody related to England would have anticipated him to make on Perofeta in Ardie Savea’s attempt. One very pricey error, however that’s all it takes at this stage. England’s go-to man to crash into defenders in an epic battle together with his counterpart Savea.
Replacements16. Theo Dan – 5Was not in a position to make the affect from the bench that Borthwick would have wished, however he was not the one alternative to undergo that destiny. Summed up how England misplaced the ‘bench battle’ with the All Blacks.
17. Fin Baxter – 6An early alternative for clubmate Joe Marler to earn his first cap. A pricey neck roll when England have been arrange within the All Blacks’ 22 earlier than half time, although he may really feel a little bit arduous accomplished by. Was in a position to make an impression with ball in hand, which is a vital a part of his recreation, however there’s no hiding from the truth that England’s scrum did wrestle.
18. Dan Cole – 5Picked off within the scrum within the last ten minutes.
19. Alex Coles – 5A no-arms sort out within the last ten may have allowed the hosts to increase to a four-point lead, however for McKenzie being timed-out.
20. Tom Curry – 5Was probably known as upon to assist treatment England’s points on the breakdown the place the All Blacks have been barely faster to the draw at occasions and have been in a position to safe many turnovers. Penalised inside minutes of approaching as his over-enthusiasm on the ruck perhaps boiled over.
21. Ben Spencer – 4Looked like the right participant to shepherd England to a victory when approaching, however was unable to assist regain management when the hosts crept into the lead.
22. Fin Smith – 5Had quarter-hour to take England over the road, but it surely was in the end a stint the place England have been largely defending.
23. Ollie Sleightholme – N/ACame on for his debut, however was solely given a handful of minutes.
