England ended a thirteen year wait for victory over New Zealand at Twickenham with a 33-19 win on Saturday, extending their unbeaten run in 2025 to ten Test matches.
The afternoon began ominously as the All Blacks raced into a 12-0 lead inside the opening twenty minutes thanks to tries from Leicester Faingaanuku and Codie Taylor and a conversion from Beauden Barrett. What looked like a long afternoon for the hosts quickly transformed into one of their most memorable comebacks in recent years.
England clawed their way back into the contest before the break. Ollie Lawrence’s try and two well struck drop goals from George Ford cut the deficit to 12-11 at halftime. Moments after the restart England surged ahead when Sam Underhill crossed the line and Ford added the extras.
Twickenham briefly simmered with frustration when a Ford try was chalked off by the TMO for a Ben Earl knock on, but the mood shifted again as Fraser Dingwall powered over for England’s third try, with Ford keeping the scoreboard moving.
Will Jordan’s try and Damian McKenzie’s conversion brought New Zealand back within six points, but England refused to yield. Ford slotted a late penalty before Tom Roebuck’s 77th minute score sealed a famous victory.
England’s ten match winning streak is their best run since 2017 and they have suffered only one defeat all year. It is also their first victory over New Zealand since their triumph in the 2019 World Cup semi final and only their third at Twickenham this century.
England now shift focus to their final assignment of the year against Argentina. New Zealand head to Cardiff seeking a response against Wales.
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