In clear autumn conditions, the visitors struck first after just twelve minutes and maintained their lead throughout the match. The All Blacks XV pressured the hosts into a staggering 23 handling errors and excelled in the lineouts, limiting England to a disappointing 57 percent success rate.
Despite making eight changes from the team that defeated the Barbarians 33-19 the previous Saturday, the All Blacks XV quickly found their rhythm. Lock Jamie Hannah secured an early lineout steal, and a scrum penalty after ten minutes provided the foundation for the opening try.
The All Blacks XV executed a powerful maul inside the English 22. David Havili and Hannah carried the ball with vigour before halfback Kyle Preston passed it to the right, allowing fullback Chay Fihaki to set up prolific winger Caleb Tangitau for the score.
Brydon Ennor was named man of the match. The centre made a line break, nine tackles, and two turnovers. His most impactful moment came in the 25th minute when, as England threatened to score, Ennor stole the ball, leading to a length-of-the-field attack capped off by a dynamic run from his Crusaders teammate Sevu Reece and a brilliant finish from Hannah, who contributed 12 tackles during the match.
Winning the aerial kick battle is crucial in contemporary rugby, and when the All Blacks XV fumbled a kick in the 26th minute, they were swiftly punished by lively Exeter Chiefs fullback Josh Hodge, who was the top points scorer at the 2019 World Rugby Under-20 Championships.
In the 53rd minute, England A surrendered a turnover inside their 22. From the resulting scrum, Folau Fakatava, who’d replaced Kyle Preston three minutes earlier, made a snappy play on the short side that released Josh Jacomb. The Taranaki first-five converted from the left sideline, increasing the score to 19-7.
The All Blacks XV effectively fielded four loose forwards, with TK Howden at lock, winning three lineouts and making nine tackles. Devan Flanders soared on the blindside, winning seven lineouts, and with skipper Dalton Papali’i trailing England’s Tom Pearson by just two tackles as the match’s leading tackler with 15, the trio proved to be overwhelming.
The All Blacks XV sealed the victory in the 64th minute when Rivez Reihana scored an 80-metre try that featured two skilful touches from David Havili and a final pass from fellow first-five Jacomb.
Fakatava, with his newfound confidence, was rewarded for his energy with a try in the 76th minute, which also highlighted the skill of Christian Lio-Willie, Howden, Tangitau, and Reihana.
England A did manage to score a consolation try through Bristol Bears lock Joe Batley.
With this victory, the All Blacks XV have now won six consecutive matches since 2023. They will next face Uruguay at Stade Raoul-Barrière in Béziers, France next Sunday (Monday 17 November, 4am NZT).
