A painful reality check for the All Blacks at Twickenham, as England's relentless purpose and desire exposed the Kiwis' familiar flaws, resulting in a 33-19 victory and dashing their Grand Slam dreams.
The All Blacks' early 12-0 lead was a false dawn, as their inability to maintain momentum and respond to adversity proved costly. England, despite not being the finished article, showed a greater sense of urgency and capitalized on the All Blacks' third-quarter malaise.
But here's where it gets controversial: the sin-binning of Codie Taylor, a decision that could be seen as harsh, gave England the upper hand. With a capacity crowd roaring them on, England took full advantage, scoring two converted tries to take a commanding lead.
And this is the part most people miss: the All Blacks' kicking game, a crucial aspect of their strategy, was outshone by England's. Beauden Barrett, usually a reliable kicker, had an off day, and the lack of precision in their kicking game proved detrimental.
The All Blacks' backline, including Barrett and the midfield duo of Quinn Tupaea and Billy Proctor, struggled to break through England's defense. The pack, too, failed to make the necessary impact at the breakdown.
England's victory was well-deserved, but the manner of the defeat will leave a bitter taste for the All Blacks, who fell short of their own high standards and expectations.
So, what went wrong for the All Blacks? Was it a case of overconfidence, or did England simply outplay them? And with one Test left, can the Kiwis salvage some pride against Wales?
Let's discuss! What are your thoughts on this match and the All Blacks' performance? Feel free to share your opinions and insights in the comments below.
