All Blacks

All Blacks Triumph: McKenzie Elevates Tensions at Twickenham!

In a nail-biting finish, the All Blacks edge out England in a thrilling match at Twickenham!

In an electrifying showdown at Twickenham, the All Blacks managed to scrape a thrilling 24-22 victory over England, with the reigning champions showcasing their resilience amidst mounting pressure. It was a nail-biting affair that had rugby fans on the edge of their seats as England came agonisingly close to securing what would have been a monumental win. A last-minute penalty attempt by George Ford hit the post, and a subsequent drop-goal fell wide, leaving the English side with a sense of disappointment after demonstrating such fierce competition throughout.

The match witnessed a brilliant performance by Damian McKenzie, who came through with a sideline conversion that encapsulated the tightly contested nature of the game, proving pivotal to the All Blacks' late victory. However, this win didn’t come without its cost as star players Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor were both ruled out of the upcoming clash with Ireland due to injuries sustained in the frenetic match. Scott Robertson praised his team's efforts while acknowledging the challenges ahead as they prepare for Ireland, who will be a formidable contender waiting for their chance to pounce on the All Blacks’ recent vulnerabilities.

Another highlight of the evening was the spectacular display from Mark Tele'a, who provided two thrilling tries for New Zealand, showcasing his 'world-class finisher' abilities. His agility and determination proved critical in the game, turning the tide in favour of the All Blacks when they needed it the most. Former England centre Will Greenwood didn't hold back, criticising England's head coach Steve Borthwick for his decision-making, suggesting that taking Marcus Smith off was akin to ‘parking the bus’ when the team was in command, which further contributed to England missing their window of opportunity.

As the All Blacks regroup and refocus on facing Ireland, rugby fans worldwide will be watching closely to see if McKenzie can orchestrate another stellar performance at fly-half in Barrett's absence. Fun fact: did you know that the All Blacks have now played over 600 Test matches since their inception? And they hold the record for the highest winning percentage of all national teams, boasting an incredible win ratio of over 77%! That’s some serious rugby magic!