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England have the daunting task of trying to defeat the mighty All Blacks at a sold-out Eden Park today as they conclude their summer tour series with a Second Test in Auckland. To say this stadium is something of a rugby fortress for New Zealand would be a huge understatement, with the hosts unbeaten in 48 consecutive matches there since France’s famous ‘try from the end of the world’ all the way back in 1994.
Steve Borthwick’s side delivered an impressive display in last weekend’s opening clash in Dunedin, where they matched the All Blacks for long periods before two late Damian McKenzie penalties condemned them to an agonising one-point loss at Forsyth Barr Stadium, 16-15. It was a performance from which they can certainly take a lot of confidence, though many will feel they missed a golden chance to record only their third-ever victory on New Zealand soil and first since 2003.
Borthwick has been forced into two changes to his starting XV, with full debutant Fin Baxter and Freddie Steward replacing the unavailable Joe Marler and George Furbank as opposite number Scott Robertson brings in only Finlay Christie for injured scrum-half TJ Perenara. Follow New Zealand vs England live below!
New Zealand vs England latest news
As for New Zealand, their remarkable 30-year unbeaten streak at Eden Park remains intact.
It now stands at 49 consecutive matches, an incredible run that includes 47 wins and two draws.
A successful start to a new era of transition under Scott Robertson in their first games since that agonising World Cup final loss to South Africa in October, but they were given huge scares in both matches.
That was a very below-par display today before the late comeback and they have plenty of things to work on before the Rugby Championship starts in August.
Next up for them is a trip to San Diego to face Fiji next weekend.
England’s players look absolutely crestfallen after another extremely valiant effort ends in close defeat.
They’ve lost the series 2-0 and have still only ever won on New Zealand soil twice, and not since 2003.
But how close they came in both Dunedin and now Auckland in another sign of their clear progress under Steve Borthwick following last summer’s nadir after that run to the World Cup semi-finals in the autumn and mostly improved Six Nations.
There are still issues to fix, but they should hold their heads up high.
81 mins: The officials rule there is no collapse of the maul after some solid New Zealand defending at the death.
They also rule obstruction with Ollie Lawrence in front of Jamie George there.
The England captain is furious, but referee Nic Berry is having none of it.
The New Zealand celebrations begin before they tap it out to signal the end of another thrilling Test.
80 mins: England’s maul is dragged down.
Jamie George then charges behind Ollie Lawrence and is held up over the line by Beauden Barrett.
Plenty for the referee and TMO to sort out here with the clock in the red.
79 mins: England have another chance as they kick for one last lineout in the corner.
78 mins: Turnover ball from New Zealand right in front of their own line!
76 mins: A hit off the ball from All Blacks captain Scott Barrett gives England a late penalty in the opposition 22.
Ollie Sleightholme making his impact felt off the bench.
Three points are obviously no good for England now, so they kick for the lineout in the corner...
75 mins: Damian McKenzie does the business again!
England now need a converted try just to level with time running out.
A superb comeback from the All Blacks, whose 30-year unbeaten run at Eden Park is surely now safe.
74 mins: Safe lineout ball for New Zealand, but a combination of Maro Itoje and Alex Coles then give away another penalty.
Damian McKenzie steps up again to give the All Blacks a seven-point lead with just over five minutes to play at Eden Park.
