England ratings vs New Zealand: 9/10 incredible as All Blacks stunned | Rugby | Sport
England claimed their first victory over New Zealand at Twickenham since 2012 as Steve Borthwick’s side continued their incredible form with a 33-19 win. They had to weather a late storm, having come back from 12-0 down to lead, but hold on despite Ben Earl being shown a yellow card in the closing stages.
George Ford knocked over a late penalty before substitute Henry Pollock crushed New Zealand’s hopes by pouncing on a loose ball and finding Tom Roebuck to score. Here, Express Sport rates the England team who claimed a famous win over the All Blacks, extending their winning run to 10 matches…
STEWARD – Some very good mixed in with two howlers before first half HIA failure 6
ROEBUCK – Back from ankle injury, great under high balls and try finished it 8
LAWRENCE – Ultra-physical in defence and attack and split Kiwis for England’s first try 8
DINGWALL – Led a robust English defence, good touches in attack and deserved try 8
FEYI-WABOSO – Roamed around from left wing and threatened every time he had ball 7
FORD – Two drop goals got England back into game and late penalty won it 9
MITCHELL – Kicked superbly from base and constant nuisance around the fringes in attack 8
BAXTER – Great day at the scrum and hit hard in Harlequin’s best Test yet 8
GEORGE – Limped off earlier than expected solid at scrum but line out wobbled 7
HEYES – Like Baxter took on the Kiwi front row at scrum-time won battle 8
ITOJE (capt) – Put in a huge tackling and mauling shift but line out not great 7
COLES – Butchered first half score when held up and part of misfiring line out 6
PEPPER – Emptied the tank for 55 minutes, tackled hard and good on the floor 7
UNDERHILL – Big game player and at it again with some crushing hits and carries 8
EARL – Got through a mountain of work, with 19 carries, but unlucky yellow card 8
Replacements
Cowan-Dickie 6 (for George, 44)
Genge 7 (for Baxter, 55)
Stuart 6 (for Heyes, 55)
Cunningham-South (for Lawrence 78)
Curry 7 (for Underhill, 55)
Pollock 7 (for Pepper, 55)
Spencer 6 (for Mitchell, 72)
Smith 7 (for Steward, 22)
New Zealand: Jordan 7; Carter 6, Proctor 5, Tupaea 4, Fainga’anuku 6; B.Barrett 5, Roigard; De Groot 6, Taylor 6, Newell 5, S.Barrett 6 (capt), Lord 5, Parker 5, Savea 6, Lakai 5
Replacements: Taukei’aho 5 (for Parker 48, for Taylor 66), Williams 5 (for De Groot 41), Tosi 5 (for Newell 56), Darry 5 (for Lord 67), Sititi 6 (for Parker 54), Ratima 5 (for Roigard 44), Lienert-Brown 5 (for Tupaea 56), McKenzie 6 (for B.Barrett 54)
MAN OF THE MATCH – GEORGE FORD (ENGLAND)
