REACTION: New Zealand wing Mark Tele’a scored the decisive try as the All Blacks came from behind to edge England 24-22 in a dramatic finish to their November international at Twickenham on Saturday.
England led 22-14 late on but replacement flyhalf Damian McKenzie’s penalty and Tele’a’s second try of the match helped leave New Zealand two points ahead with three minutes left.
England replacement flyhalf George Ford, who had hit the post with a 79th-minute penalty, then missed what would have been a winning drop-goal with the last kick of the match.
The veteran playmaker, winning his 97th England cap, had also gone too high in the tackle when Tele’a crossed for a second time, with McKenzie converting.
“I didn’t think we had that in the end,” New Zealand No.8 Ardie Savea said in his post-match reaction
“We got lucky with the penalty kick, but it is a game of fine margins and we will take it,” he added after a morale-boosting win for New Zealand – beaten by South Africa in the 2023 World Cup Final, following three defeats in six games during this year’s Southern Hemisphere Rugby Championship.
“That game could’ve gone either way but for us to stay in it and defend the goalline like that, I’m very proud of the boys.
“England’s pack were bringing line speed and they were putting big shots on us.”
