New Zealand edged past England 16-15 in a thrilling opening Test in Dunedin to kickstart Scott Robertson’s era as head coach with a win.
Damian McKenzie kicked two second-half penalties to overturn England’s advantage after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s try opened up a five-point lead for the visitors.
The sides were level at the interval as Sevu Reece and Ardie Savea scored either side of a Maro Itoje try converted by Marcus Smith, who missed three of his five kicks, including one close to the line of the posts.
England started brightly after the break and Feyi-Waboso’s finish in the corner after some powerful work at close quarters gave Steve Borthwick’s side belief of ending their 21-year-old wait for a win in New Zealand.
McKenzie, however, recovered from two missed conversion attempts in the first half to bang over six points and hand the All Blacks victory in their first game since last year’s World Cup final defeat by South Africa.
The fly-half could have stretched the hosts’ lead further late on but he was timed out of taking another penalty on the shot clock.
England will look to avenge their defeat in the final Test of the two-game series in Auckland next Saturday.
