England vs. New Zealand: Autumn International Set for Tight Contest at Twickenham
England and New Zealand are poised for a compelling clash at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, this Saturday, November 15th, with kickoff scheduled for 3:10 PM. The match, part of the Autumn International series, will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1.
England enter the match as narrow favourites, a somewhat unusual position given their recent history against the All Blacks. It has been six years since England’s memorable victory over New Zealand in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final, and a full 13 years since they last secured a win against the All Blacks on home soil. Despite this historical disadvantage, Steve Borthwick’s side are aiming to extend their winning streak to ten consecutive Test matches.
New Zealand, however, will present a formidable challenge. Having already secured victories against Ireland and Scotland earlier this month, the All Blacks are looking to complete a clean sweep of their matches against the home nations. “New Zealand’s DNA is to find an extra gear,” one analyst noted, highlighting their ability to elevate their performance in crucial moments.
The recent head-to-head record heavily favours New Zealand, with England having won only two of their last 21 encounters. Recent matches at Twickenham have been particularly close, including a two-point defeat last year, a 25-25 draw in 2022, and a one-point All Blacks victory in 2018. This history suggests another tightly contested affair is likely.
England’s preparations have included victories over Australia and Fiji, though concerns remain about the quality of those wins. Australia were recently defeated by Italy, and Fiji remained competitive for a significant portion of their match against England before ultimately succumbing to three unanswered tries in the final quarter.
New Zealand’s performances against Ireland and Scotland, while hard-fought, demonstrate their resilience and ability to close out games. This was particularly evident against Ireland, where they secured victory with three late tries. England have attempted to address a perceived weakness in this area by naming six British & Irish Lions among their eight replacements, including a complete replacement front row.
George Ford returns to the starting lineup at fly-half, having previously started against Australia. This tactical decision points to a gameplan focused on precision and control. However, the All Blacks possess a greater capacity for game-changing moments, and England have shown vulnerability against creative flair, particularly in getting winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso involved.
Much has been made of England’s bench strength, but New Zealand are renowned for their ability to shift gears and maintain intensity throughout the match. “A tight contest may need just one or two moments to swing one way or the other,” a senior official stated, suggesting the All Blacks’ experience could prove decisive.
Key statistics further illustrate the competitive nature of this rivalry. England have won just two of their last 21 meetings with New Zealand, and New Zealand’s last five victories have been by narrow margins – one, two, three, or seven points. Seven of the last eight encounters have resulted in a total score of under 50 points, suggesting a low-scoring affair. New Zealand scrum-half Cam Roigard has also been in impressive form, scoring four tries in his last four matches.
Team Lineups:
England: 15 Freddie Steward; 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Fin Baxter, 2 Jamie George, 3 Joe Heyes, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 5 Alex Coles, 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl. Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Chandler Cunningham-South, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Marcus Smith.
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan; 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku; 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard; 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 5 Fabian Holland, 6 Simon Parker, 7 Ardie Savea, 8 Peter Lakai. Replacements: 16 and 17 unavailable at time of publishing, 197 unavailable at time of publishing.
Betting Odds (as of time of publishing):
- England: 10-11
- New Zealand: Evs
- Draw: 20-1
For those looking to place a wager, BoyleSports is offering odds on the match. Further betting advice can be found on Racing Post Sport.
Ultimately, the match promises to be a captivating contest between two rugby powerhouses. While England are slight favourites, New Zealand’s experience and ability to perform under pressure make them a dangerous opponent. A close, low-scoring game is anticipated, with the All Blacks potentially edging out a narrow victory at Twickenham.
