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friendly | International Rugby Union
Jun 14, 2014 at 8.35am UK
 
New Zealand
28-27
England
Smith (43'), Savea (49'), Nonu (65')
FT
Yarde (7'), Brown (70'), Ashton (80')

New Zealand edge out England

New Zealand fight back from a 10-3 deficit to record a 28-27 victory over England in Dunedin.

New Zealand have resisted a late fightback from England to record a 28-27 victory in Dunedin.

Ma'a Nonu of New Zealand celebrates his try with Aaron Smith during the International Test Match between the New Zealand All Blacks and England at Forsyth Barr Stadium on June 14, 2014© Getty Images

The All Blacks were 10-3 down shortly before the half-time whistle, but three tries in 25 minutes changed the course of the match.

England struck back with two tries in the final 10 minutes, but the hosts held on to move into an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Stuart Lancaster's side secured the perfect start against their hosts after an early Owen Farrell penalty was followed by a try from Marland Yarde.

New Zealand got on the scoreboard thanks to a Aaron Cruden penalty, but they were struggling to find a way through a resolute England team, who were displaying the same kind of character that they shown in the first Test.

However, a penalty on the half-time whistle for New Zealand changed the course of the game, and when the players returned for the second half, Ben Smith went over after fine work from Julian Savea.

Farrell got England back on level terms at 13-13 with his second penalty of the match, but three minutes later Savea gave another demonstration of his power by touching down in the corner.

Beauden Barrett, who had replaced Cruden, kicked through the posts to give New Zealand an eight-point lead, and that soon became 15 when Ma'a Nonu recorded his team's third try, which was converted by Barrett.

The game looked out of England's reach, but with 10 minutes remaining, Mike Brown muscled his way over to make the score 28-20, but they couldn't make any further impact on New Zealand before the hooter sounded to signal the final play of the match.

However, before the full-time whistle was blown, Chris Ashton got in behind New Zealand to touch down under the posts, but it wasn't enough as England fell agonisingly short for the second time in the space of a week.

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