13 July 2024 08:12 pm Views - 123
Tries: Tele'a 2 Con: McKenzie Pens: McKenzie 4
Tries: Feyi-Waboso, Freeman Cons: M Smith 2 Pen: M Smith
The All Blacks trailed by four points before two-time world player of the year Barrett was introduced off the bench to set up Mark Tele'a's second try and break English resistance.
England had threatened to become the first side to win at Eden Park in 30 years after excellent tries by Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tommy Freeman handed them a slender advantage at half-time.
In a frenetic game littered by handling errors on the greasy Auckland surface, the All Blacks struggled to wrestle back momentum and Marcus Smith stretched England's lead with a penalty before Barrett's arrival from the bench.
The full-back cut a composed figure to steady the New Zealand ship as he first ran an excellent line against England's scramble defence to feed Tele'a - who had opened his account in the first half with a smart poach from the breakdown - before holding up Jamie George over the whitewash in the final play.
Victory for the All Blacks maintains their formidable record at Eden Park and hands them a series win to kickstart Scott Robertson's era as head coach.
Line-ups:-
New Zealand: Perofeta; Reece, Ioane, J Barrett, Tele'a; McKenzie, Christie; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (capt), Tuipulotu, Finau, Papali'i, Savea.
England: Steward; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; M Smith, Mitchell; Baxter, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Earl.
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia).