England and New Zealand kick off the Autumn Nations Series with a marquee clash at the renamed Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Steve Borthwickâs side were beaten narrowly in both Tests on their July tour, and will be out for revenge against an All Blacks side still adjusting to life under head coach Scott Robertson. A storied rivalry has been given extra edge this week by clumsy comments from England prop Joe Marler, who suggested the traditional pre-match haka needed âbinningâ on social media. Marler, who left camp on Monday for unrelated personal reasons, has since apologised after significant criticism.
The haka chat has dominated the build-up to a crucial clash for both sides. England have taken huge strides this year but have endured recent coaching upheaval, while Borthwick has emphasised the need to finish games strongly after losing three of their last four fixtures by fine margins.
The visitors, meanwhile, disappointed in the Rugby Championship as South Africa further showed how the balance of rugby power may be shifting, and will want to re-establish themselves as one of the worldâs top sides in the next few weeks.
Follow all the latest from the Autumn Nations Series opener in our live blog below:
PENALTY! England 6-7 New Zealand (Marcus Smith, 13 mins)
No mistake from Marcus Smith from the tee as he narrows the deficit to a single point.
Luke Baker2 November 2024 15:26
England 3-7 New Zealand, 12 mins
Good response from England, good quick ball and Feyi-Waboso takes them into the All Blacks 22. Scott Barrett drives Stuart backwards and Marcus Smith then goes for the drop goal but itâs blocked.
Back for an England penalty.
Luke Baker2 November 2024 15:24
TRY! England 3-7 New Zealand (Mark Teleâa, 10 mins)
Sititi among the one-up carriers for New Zealand as they work the ball into the 22. And now itâs a try!
Brilliance from Sititi as he draws Furbank into tackle him, produces a back-of-the-hand offload and Mark Teleâa gets outside Ellis Genge to touch down in the corner. Beautifully worked to exploit a mismatch.
Then a stunning conversion from Barrett from out wide.
Luke Baker2 November 2024 15:22
England 3-0 New Zealand, 8 mins
All Blacks go wide and Clarke tries to kick ahead but shanks the ball out of play. They did have penalty advantage but that still wasnât great. Good touchfinder from Beauden Barrett though – lineout on the England 22.
Luke Baker2 November 2024 15:20
PENALTY! England 3-0 New Zealand (Marcus Smith, 5 mins)
Easy kick for Marcus Smith to get things going and England lead 3-0. Bad news for the All Blacks though as Codie Taylor is off for a HIA. Asafo Aumua on at hooker temporarily.
Luke Baker2 November 2024 15:18
England 0-0 New Zealand, 4 mins
England go over the top from the lineout and then crash pull through the middle takes them to the 22. Nice half-break by Itoje, good quick ball from Spencer as well – which heâs been criticised for not having in the past.
Slade carries, England 10 metres out. George Martin drops the ball but back for a penalty after Jordie Barrett tackles off the ball. Good start from England and theyâll go for the posts.
Luke Baker2 November 2024 15:16
England 0-0 New Zealand, 2 mins
Early kick-pass from Marcus Smith crossfield looking for Feyi-Waboso but brillaintly defended by Caleb Clarke to push the Englishman into touch.
After the lineout, the All Blacks go aerial themselves but England claim and clear down to the 22. This time New Zealand kick-pass and FeyiWaboso disrupts before a BIG tackle from Cunningham-South drives his man back deep into the 22. Superb by the back rower. NZ eventually clear.
Luke Baker2 November 2024 15:14
KICK-OFF! England 0-0 New Zealand
And weâre off at the Allianz! This should be mega.
Luke Baker2 November 2024 15:12
England v New Zealand – All Blacks perform haka
Ok, here we go… A frisson of tension in the Twickenham crowd. New Zealand perform the haka as per normal and the England fans bellow out âSwing Low, Sweet Chariotâ for the duration. Supporters doing their part!
As for the England team, they line up to face the All Blacks and walk forward a few steps to show theyâre up for the challenge. During the Maori war dance, the All Blacks also walk forward, so the teams end up only a couple of yards from each other with just a few prone photographers lying between them… Wonder if theyâre regretting their positioning….
All good theatre, now the business is about to start!
Luke Baker2 November 2024 15:10
What is a 20-minute red card? How new rugby law will work during Autumn Nations Series
Letâs hope this isnât relevant today but thereâs a new law being trialled this autumn – the 20-minute red card. It has been used in the southern hemisphere but will now controversially be tried up north.
Hereâs everything you need to know:
Luke Baker2 November 2024 15:08
