England’s 2024 Summer Tour of New Zealand has come to a close, with the All Blacks successful in back-to-back victories against Steve Borthwick’s tourists. England by no means rolled over for the All Blacks, and came into the tour with a full head of steam after an impressive tune-up Test win over Eddie Jones’ Japan.
The first Test was decided by the finest of margins, as New Zealand scraped passed England by just one point in Dunedin. The 16-15 win will best be remembered for the controversy from the kicking tee, as All Blacks fly half Damian McKenzie had his kick timed out at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, despite the absence of a stadium shot clock. Marcus Smith left eight crucial points on the pitch in Dunedin, reminiscent of Jonny Wilkinson’s struggles at goal in the same stadium during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The second Test saw England arrive at Eden Park, with the intention of ending the 30-year unbeaten streak held by the All Blacks in Auckland. Newly appointed head coach Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson was able to oversee his side to a second Test match win, with the final score reading 24-17 following a blockbuster match.
England took the match to the wire, and were critical of the decision to bring the match to a close, after their rolling maul drive ended short of the line, yet was deemed to be ‘held up’ by Beauden and Jordie Barrett. Regardless of the on-field controversy from both the Dunedin and Auckland fixtures, England and All Blacks fans were treated to two exhilarating fixtures across the country’s North and South Islands.
With plenty of players impressing in the two Test matches, we have pieced together a combined XV of the top performers. Here is RUCK’s combined XV that we’ve called the ‘Black Roses’, made up of the best players from England’s tour of New Zealand.
BACK THREE
15. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand and Toyota Verblitz)
11. Sevu Reece (New Zealand and Crusaders)
14. Manny Feyi-Waboso (England and Exeter Chiefs)
Beginning in the back three of the ‘Black Roses’, we have selected Beauden Barrett to be our fullback. Despite not starting in either of the Test matches against England, there was no denying the immediate impact and elevation of attacking tempo he brought to New Zealand’s second half. Benched behind Stephen Perofeta, for what turned out to be a stunning tactic from Scott Robertson, Barrett’s break to set up Mark Tele’a and match saving tackle on Jamie George, were undoubted highlights from the second Test.
On the right wing we have opted for a man who surrounded himself with pre-match scrutiny, after an All Blacks press conference did not go to plan. Sevu Reece expressed how he was not aware of England wings Manny Feyi-Waboso or Tommy Freeman ahead of the first Test, yet marked the Dunedin battle with a well taken try. Returning to the All Blacks for the first time in 18 months, the Crusader reminded All Blacks fans as to what they had been missing throughout the Rugby World Cup.
Our pick for the alternate wing is Manny Feyi-Waboso, who certainly left New Zealand with the All Blacks remembering his name. The Exeter Chiefs man had a stunning Summer tour, as he scored against Japan and also crossed over for a try in each match against the All Blacks. The pick of the bunch for Feyi-Waboso had to be his try at Eden Park, as he collected Smith’s cross-field kick, stepped inside a tackle attempt before out-pacing the back-peddling defenders to wrap up a stunning solo effort.
CENTRES
13. Reiko Ioane (New Zealand and Blues)
12. Jordie Barrett (New Zealand and Leinster)
Moving onto the midfield axis for the ‘Black Roses’, and we have selected an all-New Zealand partnership. The centre duo of Reiko Ioane and Jordie Barrett were brilliant against England, with the playmakers asking questions of England’s defensive acumen, as well as leaving plenty of bruises upon their bodies. Ioane and Barrett have accumulated over 100 All Blacks caps between them, with a symbiotic relationship that builds the core of the back-line.
Ioane and Barrett linked up for numerous double tackles against England, and routinly left their opposite men feeling the effects. The All Black centres telegraphed the hard lines of Ollie Lawrence at Eden Park, and forced three consecutive knock-ons through an abundance of pressure upon the Bath man. Whilst Henry Slade was at his classy best in Auckland, the Exeter man was a step off the pace for the Dunedin Test, which has handed the starting jerseys to the telepathic All Black duo.