The build-up to this game hinted at a fierce contest and there fireworks before the first whistle as England faced-off to the Haka of New Zealand.
The visitors thought they had scored first but replays showed the try-scorer failed to release the ball after being tackled. Instead it was England’s Claudia Moloney-Macdonald who drew first-blood of this game; her 26th try overall for the Red Roses. Converted.
Just 12-minutes later and The Black Ferns kicked into space behind the defensive line; forcing a foot-chase. Amy Du Plessis beat fan favourite Ellie Kildunne back to the ball and scored; but it went unconverted; the Black Ferns failing to take the opportunity to draw level.
Leti-I’iga, who had a try disallowed earlier in the game, finally got her name on the scoreboard and pulled New Zealand into the lead; Sorensen-McGee adding the extra two after 32mins.
Half-time New Zealand led England by 12 point to 7
Kildunne finally got her nae on the scoreboard just 6-minutes into the second half; Harrison converted and the Red Roses pulled themselves back into the lead. The hosts then made the most of their one-player advantage after the Black Ferns were shown yellow for a dangerous tackle.
The Red Roses formed a rolling maul before Jess Breach ran in over the whitewash in the far corner, extending their lead. New Zealand did not give up and drew the scores level through a converted try from Paul with only 10-minutes remaining.
England earned a penalty with less than a minute to play. Stepping up to the tee was Red Rose flyhalf Harrison to win it for the hosts however she sliced her kick. The Black Ferns gathered and instead of sending the ball out of play to end the game on a draw, they played. The Red Roses stole possession before Harrison crossed for the winning try; the conversion was icing on a very tasty cake as England beat New Zealand by 26 points to 19 at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
59,871 attendance
