In a stunning upset that shattered the All Blacks' Grand Slam dreams, England emerged victorious at Twickenham, claiming the Hillary Shield with a commanding 33-19 win. But here's where it gets controversial: Was this England's triumph or the All Blacks' downfall? Let’s dive into the match that left fans divided and analysts debating.
The game, played on Sunday (NZT), showcased England's resilience and tactical brilliance, particularly in the second half. Despite struggling with lineouts—their only noticeable weakness—England’s composure and efficiency outshone the All Blacks, who seemed to falter under pressure. New Zealand dominated in possession and key metrics but failed to convert their advantages into points, thanks to England’s rock-solid defense.
And this is the part most people miss: The match was a redemption story for England’s George Ford, whose missed kicks had cost his team a win the previous year. This time, Ford’s two dropped goals were pivotal, narrowing the gap from 0-12 to 11-12 by halftime. His strategic kicking, including a crucial 50:22, set up a try that shifted the momentum. In contrast, Beauden Barrett’s missed penalty kicks proved costly for the All Blacks.
The turning point came immediately after halftime. A rare moment of indiscipline from the All Blacks—Codie Taylor’s penalty for playing the ball in a tackle—gave England the opening they needed. Alex Mitchell and Sam Underhill capitalized, with Underhill scoring the try that handed England their first lead. From there, England never looked back, maintaining control for the final 38 minutes.
England’s dominance was further cemented by Ollie Lawrence and Lawrence Dingwall’s tries, extending their lead to 25-12. Though the All Blacks fought back with Will Jordan’s 45th Test try, it was too little, too late. England sealed the deal with a bonus try from Tom Roebuck, leaving no doubt about their deserving victory.
Bold claim: England’s win wasn’t just about their skill—it was about the All Blacks’ inability to adapt. What do you think? Was this England’s masterclass or New Zealand’s missed opportunity? Let’s debate in the comments!
Early in the match, the All Blacks had shown promise, disrupting England’s lineout three times in the first quarter. Their efforts paid off with two quick tries from Leicester Fainga'anuku, powered by strong runs from Quinn Tupaea, Ethan de Groot, and Peter Lakai. Codie Taylor’s try, his 23rd, equaled Dane Coles’ record for most tries by a hooker. But England’s relentless probing, led by Sam Underhill, Guy Pepper, and Ben Earl, kept the pressure on.
Ollie Lawrence’s try in the 24th minute and Ford’s dropped goals in the 37th and 39th minutes kept England within striking distance at halftime. New Zealand’s late change, with Josh Lord replacing the injured Fabian Holland, seemed to disrupt their rhythm, but was it enough to explain their second-half collapse?
Thought-provoking question: Could the All Blacks have turned the tide if not for that early second-half penalty? Or was England’s victory inevitable? Share your thoughts below!
Scorers: England 33 (Ollie Lawrence, Sam Underhill, Fraser Dingwall, Tom Roebuck tries; George Ford 2 con, pen, 2 dropped goals) New Zealand 19 (Leicester Fainga'anuku, Codie Taylor, Will Jordan tries; Beauden Barrett con; Damian McKenzie con). HT: 11-12.
