England’s long-awaited autumn campaign began with an excruciating defeat, with Steve Borthwick’s side losing to New Zealand 24-22 in the first of their four November games.
In a mistake-filled but surprising match that ended in a thrilling finish, George Ford hit the post with what would have been a match-winning penalty and also missed a last-gasp drop goal attempt.
That meant that, despite Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s try and Marcus Smith’s boot, England fell short.
Mark Tele’a scored two tries for the All Blacks.
Mail Sport’s ALEX BYWATER was at the Allianz Stadium to rate the players.
England’s autumn campaign began with a dismal defeat against New Zealand
A game full of errors but surprising that ended in an exciting finale when George Ford hit the post with a penalty.
England will play four international matches this month in total and will now look to recover
England
George Furbank – 5.5
He did the basics well when it would have been easy to panic under pressure as England raced down the field to score.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – 7
He left the game almost immediately, but attacked with all his heart and never shied away from contact. He didn’t have much space until he ran to score. Awesome.
Henry Slade – 6
He came into this match having played just 54 minutes of club rugby all season. He showed impressive resilience into his 80s. New Zealand didn’t test him enough.
Ollie Lawrence – 4
Without a doubt he would have liked to have had more opportunities with the ball in his hand. England need to use him much better because he is undoubtedly Test quality.
Tommy Freeman – 4
He is a wonderful attacker. But unfortunately we saw almost nothing of him with the ball in his hand. I had to be happy chasing kicks.
Marco Smith – 7.5
Cross kick from his own 22 immediately as a sign of intention. His boot kept England in the game. Two missed drop goals, but a crucial interception and a cool head led to Feyi-Waboso’s attempt. They shouldn’t have removed it.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso tackled with all his heart and impressed again in the England shirt
Marcus Smith should not have been withdrawn despite missing two drop goals and kicking well
Ben Spencer – 6
The first test starts at 32. Caught by Tyrel Lomax at the base of the breakdown and charged on one occasion, but can be quite happy with his display. Another one who should have stayed.
Ellis Genge – 6.5
He could do nothing to stop New Zealand’s first try in a complete mismatch with Mark Tele’a. The rest was good before being replaced.
Jamie George – 6
A calm lead saw him in a positive discussion with referee Angus Gardner. He seemed out of breath when Theo Dan came in, but had to go back for more.
Will Stuart – 6.5
One wondered if he would struggle against the New Zealand scrum, but he didn’t before giving way to the more experienced Dan Cole.
Maro Itoje – 8.5
He scored past iconic 2003 World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson in his 85th cap with a half-time break that put Spencer away. Good display.
Maro Itoje put in an excellent performance to beat the tapered captain Martin Johnson, winner of the 2003 World Cup.
George Martin – 6.5
A true workhorse that is a good complement to Itoje. He will be a pillar of this team for years to come.
Chandler Cunningham-South – 7.5
He tried to rally the English crowd after the monstrous hit on Tupou Vaa’i that almost cut the All Black team in half. After that it was full of beans.
Tom Curry – 7
Showed great pace to cover and tackle Will Jordan and stop a New Zealand breakaway. It was particularly impressive given Curry’s recent serious hip injuries. Replaced by twin brother Ben.
Ben Earl – 7.5
He went through a mountain of carrying work and was always dynamic and elusive when in possession. He will be devastated to have been on the losing side.
Replacements: Theo Dan 5 (for George 53), Fin Baxter 4 (for Genge 53), Dan Cole 4 (for Stuart 53), Harry Randall 4 (for Spencer 60), Ben Curry 6.5 (for T Curry 60), George Ford 3.5 (for Smith 63), Alex Dombrandt 4 (for Cunningham-South 66) Nick Isiekwe 4 (for Lawrence 78), Jamie George 6 (for Dan 78)
Coach
Steve Borthwick – 4
Misuse of substitutions saw England snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
England snatched defeat from the jaws of victory thanks to Borthwick’s misuse of substitutions
New Zealand
Will Jordan – 7
The highest praise that can be given him is that he appears to be operating in third gear, such is the natural nature of his talent. He scored a great try from a Beauden Barrett switch pass.
Mark Tele’a – 7.5
He beat Furbank at the start of the aerial competition and was soon on the scoreboard. He returned after being substituted to center the second winning goal.
Rieko Ioane – 4
Their first half was interrupted by a bloody injury. When on the field, he was unusually quiet for a man of his talent.
Jordie Barrett – 4
Penalized for tackling Chandler Cunningham-South without the ball. First game back from a knee injury and he’ll be better for it, but he was off the pace.
Caleb Clarke – 5
He lost a boot in the second half and was then penalized for a deliberate hit which ruled out a try for Beauden Barrett.
Mark Tele’a (right) beat George Furbank at the start of the aerial competition and was soon on the scoreboard.
Beauden Barrett – 6.5
Back at number 10 in place of Damian McKenzie. He made a good pass to set up Jordan, but it was McKenzie who won the game for New Zealand.
Cortez Ratima – 5.5
A talented young number 9. He was penalized for losing his footing, allowing England to escape under pressure. It was his pass that was intercepted by Smith.
Tamaiti Williams – 6
He was told by referee Angus Gardner to keep the scrum level and was then immediately penalized for collapsing the set-piece.
Codie Taylor – 5.5
The veteran hooker has been in good form but his afternoon lasted just six minutes before he was forced off the field for an assessment on a head injury.
Tyrel Lomax – 6
He did well to catch Spencer at the break, but like his prop-mate, he was also penalized in the scrum.
Scott Barrett – 6.5
The New Zealand captain does not get the headlines from his brothers in the last division. You won’t be happy with your team’s error count, but a win is a win.
Scott Barrett isn’t making headlines for his brothers and won’t be happy with his team’s error count.
Tupou Vaa’i – 6.5
Good source of ball at the lineout until Cunningham-South leveled it and never recovered.
Wallace Sititi – 9
A wonderful offload from the tackle gave Tele’a the platform to take on Genge and score New Zealand’s first goal. It set the tone for a wonderful action-packed display. Player of the match by a country mile.
Sam Cane – 4.5
Coming to the end of his international career. One of several New Zealand players to get away with early tackles.
Ardie Savea – 6.5
It didn’t have its usual show-stopping X Factor moments, but it was a crucial cog as New Zealand emerged victorious against all the odds.
Wallace Sititi was man of the match by far with a wonderful action-packed display.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua 5.5 (for Taylor 6), Anton Lienert-Brown 5 (for Ioane 17-29), Patrick Tuipulotu 6.5 (for Vaa’i 42), Cam Roigard 6.5 (for Ratima 62), Damian McKenzie 8.5 (for Tele ‘a 62), Ofa Tu’ungafasi 8.5 (for Williams 64), Pasilio Tosi 8.5 (for Lomax 64), Anton Lienert-Brown 5 (for J Barrett 65), Mark Tele’a 7.5 (for B Barrett 67), Finau (Cane 77)
Coach
Scott Robertson – 7
He was very pleased with his forward replacements who outplayed England at scrum time.