EThe final push of the All Blacks It prevented England from desecrating Eden Park, the Auckland temple in which New Zealand has built a fortress with 49 games without defeat (47 wins and two draws) since 1994. The world runner-up beat XV de la Rosa by 24- 17 in the second test of the summer season.
Beauden Barrett, one of their legendary players, 33 years old, was decisive in the local comeback. The flyhalf came on with 30 minutes left when England dominated the score 13-17 and it was decisive. First, he was the one who enabled Tele’a to convert the All Blacks’ last try that put them in front (18-17) and, later, in the last play of the game, he stopped the English advance on the line, which then he would be punished.
Until the departure of the greatest of the saga, England had presented a superb battle in enemy territory, a country in which they have not had a successful result since 2023 and in which they have only beaten New Zealand twice. Tele’a had put his team ahead in the 11th minute, but the British response was immediate with another from Feyi Waboso. Just before the break, Freeman with another try had wiped out Damian McKenzie’s two penalty shots to make it 13-14 in favor of Steve Borthwick’s team, who put up a fabulous battle.
Two more McKenzie club shots converted They forced England to score a try to level the match. They reached the All Blacks’ 22, but died, with all honors, on the shore.
