The England vs New Zealand Autumn Nations 2024 clash at Twickenham delivered a thrilling spectacle, with New Zealand narrowly defeating England 24-22. Fans witnessed an intense match filled with standout performances, close calls, and dramatic moments, as England fought hard but ultimately fell just short in this electrifying encounter.
A Match Defined by Fine Margins
England’s captain, Jamie George, reflected on the close finish, acknowledging that his team had a golden opportunity to seal a victory. With England leading late in the game, George Ford had the chance to secure the win but missed a critical penalty and a subsequent drop goal. George, however, was quick to support Ford, noting that “we can’t blame him for that,” adding that such missed chances are simply part of the game. England head coach, Steve Borthwick, emphasised the razor-thin margins in rugby, especially when up against a seasoned team like New Zealand.
Borthwick’s reflections underscore the experience New Zealand brought to Twickenham. “They had 10 players from the World Cup final and significantly more caps than us,” Borthwick explained, adding that despite the narrow loss, England is “developing into a very strong team.”
Key Player Performances
Both teams saw standout performances, with England’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and New Zealand’s Wallace Sititi catching the eye for their dynamic contributions.
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) – Showed remarkable tenacity, wriggling out of tackles and scoring a crucial try. His energy on the field earned him a solid 8/10.
- Marcus Smith (England) – Displayed confidence with an early kick to Feyi-Waboso and kept a perfect record on goal-kicking. Smith’s maturity on the pitch was evident, earning him an 8/10 rating.
- Wallace Sititi (New Zealand) – Impressed with his ball-carrying and notable offload to Tele’a, who scored a try. Sititi’s skillful performance secured him a top rating of 9/10.
New Zealand coach Scott Robertson praised Ford’s capabilities, commenting that “I don’t think George Ford has ever missed a drop kick in his life,” a testament to the respect Ford commands internationally. Yet, as New Zealand’s captain Scott Barrett pointed out, the All Blacks’ determination to play an attacking game may have ultimately given them the edge.
A Growing Rivalry
This game marked England’s third narrow defeat to New Zealand, adding fuel to an already intense rivalry. England’s Ollie Lawrence contributed a staggering 22 tackles, while Maro Itoje, known for his big moments against the All Blacks, continued to be an influential figure in England’s defensive line. On New Zealand’s side, Will Jordan and Mark Tele’a executed powerful, clinical runs that tested England’s backline.
While England struggled in certain areas, players like George Martin and Tom Curry demonstrated strong defensive capabilities, laying the groundwork for England’s next encounter against Australia.
Catch all the latest Autumn Nations Series 2024 fixtures and results on the official Six Nations Rugby website, where you’ll find match details and updates on every thrilling encounter.
For in-depth player stats, upcoming fixtures, and further match insights, follow EyeOnLondon for the latest on England’s journey in the Autumn Nations Series.
[Image Credit:Tim Entwisle]
