by Ben Ayuko
{image by AP}
The All Blacks narrowly got one over the Three Lions in test match over the weekend. It was a close affair as both teams showed up fully intent on taking the game to their opponent.
New Zealand took the lead after winger, Sevu Reece, ran onto a cross kick by fly half Damien McKenzie and carried over the England try line. McKenzie’s failure to convert the try proved vital as England then took the lead after Marcus Smith converted a Maro Itoje try, bundling over the tryline with sheer force and determination. New Zealand took back the lead with a try from Number 8, Ardie Savea, making an overlapping run onto a pass from fullback, Stephen Perofeta, who did well to sidestep a challenge and create the space to run into. Right on the stroke of halftime, England converted a penalty to level the score at 10-10 going into the break.
The second half started with a bang as merely 5 or so minutes after the break England took the lead with a try from Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. He soared over the tryline after England forced New Zealand to commit numbers to one side of the pitch, leaving an overlap on the other side. Quick interplay capped off with a good pass wide by Marcus Smith to the winger made it 15-10 to England, Smith failing to convert the try.
It was a much more calculated affair after that as both teams were weary of giving away any cheap concessions. Damien McKenzie made up for his first half conversion woes by converting 2 penalties to give New Zealand back the lead. It was a nervy affair, with England throwing the kitchen sink at New Zealand in a bid to try and get the final word, but to no avail.
New Zealand held on to secure a 16-15 victory after a tough test match in front of their home crowd at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.