Replacement Beauden Barrett sparked a New Zealand comeback in their 24-17 victory over England, securing a 2-0 series win at Eden Park.
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The All Blacks were down by four points when Barrett, a two-time world player of the year, came off the bench. His performance set up Mark Tele’a’s second try, overcoming the English defense.
England had threatened to become the first team to win at Eden Park in 30 years, thanks to impressive tries by Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tommy Freeman, giving them a narrow lead at halftime.
Here, we examine four England players who fell short of their best at Eden Park.
#1. Freddie Steward
Planet Rugby 4/10: “It was tough for the full-back, who was playing his first match since early May, but he struggled. Was slow to turn and got caught too many times.”
Rugby Pass 5/10: “Stepping in for the injured George Furbank, who played a blinder last week, so the pressure was on England’s former first-choice fullback. Despite being tested early on, which included a rare fumbled high ball, he settled into the game nicely, and got his hands on the ball in the wider channels and looked threatening both carrying and distributing. Struggled to work himself out of holes the All Blacks had forced him into at times in the second half.”
Telegraph 6/10: “Caught in possession and spilled his first high ball but settled. Carried robustly and saved a try on the scramble. Beaten in the build-up to Telea’s second.”