LONDON – World champions New Zealand came from 15-0 down to beat England 16-15 in a thrilling November Test at a rain-swept Twickenham on Saturday.
England, after letting slip a commanding lead, thought they had won the match with four minutes left when Sam Underhill crossed for a ‘try’, after Courtney Lawes charged down a kick by All Black replacement scrumhalf TJ Perenara.
But French referee Jerome Garces, after consulting South African television match official Marius Jonker, disallowed the score for a marginal offside infringement by Lawes at the ruck that preceded the kick.
England, bidding for just their eighth win over the All Blacks in 41 Tests, surged into a shock 15-0 lead on the back of tries by Chris Ashton and Dylan Hartley.
But the All Blacks were only five points down at halftime, thanks to Damian McKenzie’s converted try and a Beauden Barrett penalty.
Flyhalf Barrett’s second-half drop goal and penalty then proved the decisive scores.
Respect. #ENGvNZL pic.twitter.com/A6WMyQTbNA
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 10, 2018
Points-Scorers
England 15 – Tries: Chris Ashton, Dylan Hartley. Conversion: Owen Farrell (1). Drop Goal: Farrell (1).
New Zealand 16 – Try: Damian McKenzie. Conversion: Beauden Barrett (1). Penalties: Barrett (2). Drop Goal: Barrett (1).