The All Blacks only needed a sniff to keep their three-decade Eden Park dominance alive. And Beauden Barrett delivered.
In one kick from his unpreferred left-foot, the momentum shifted as Barrett pinned Steve Borthwick’s men deep in their corner after failing to put the All Blacks to the sword after dominating the stages either side of half-time. England’s hopes of winning their first match over the All Blacks in New Zealand since 2003 gone in a flash.
The two-time World Rugby player of the year rolled back the years to produce one of his finest displays in recent years to lead the All Blacks to a 24-17 come-from-behind victory on Saturday evening.
“I was just trying to stay calm on the bench and do what’s required when I come on,” Barrett said nonchalantly. “Nothing special and try and influence the game in whatever way I need to.”
Alex Mitchell reacts during England’s heartbreaking loss to the All Blacks at Eden Park on July 13, 2024. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
And influence the match he did.
After trailing 17-13 midway through the second half, the All Blacks built from Barrett’s game-changing left boots and his teammate on the wing, Mark Telea, had his second try.
Feeling the heat from England’s brilliant defensive pressure in the middle of the park and desperation out wide from the magnificent Marcus Smith, the All Blacks chose to do it in threes as they slowly built their lead in the 69th minute and five minutes later.
England, however, never went away as they tried to go one better following their heartbreaking 16-15 defeat a week ago.
But the All Blacks’ composure paid off, as the home side turned the ball over once near their line in the dying minutes before successfully defending one final maul from England.
“It was a proper Test match and we expected nothing less from a classy side,” Barrett added. “That’s Test footy, it comes down to the wire like that and we showed some good belief and finished it off there.”
Beauden Barrett and Jordie Barrrett celebrate their narrow win over England at Eden Park on July 13, 2024. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
His younger brother and new skipper Scott Barrett was just as relieved at full-time.
“Hugely proud of the boys to hold on, win the arm-wrestle and finish off a good performance,” the second-rower said.
“Test matches certainly challenge your character and we had to do dig deep there right until the last minute. Well done to England, they’ve had two strong Test matches against us.”
England skipper Jamie George, who featured prominently during the drawn 2017 British and Irish Lions series, said he was looking forward to welcoming the All Blacks back to Twickenham later in the year.
“We’re not short of drama here at Eden Park, I’m used to that I guess in ’17 as well, but a huge congratulations to the All Blacks they’re a great team, a big congrats to Scott and we look forward to playing them in November,” the experienced hooker said.
England huddle after going down by seven points to the All Blacks at Eden Park on July 13, 2024. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
On a night where little separated the two sides, it was Barrett’s experience and class that separated the two proud rugby nations.
Before then, the two sides traded blows around the field and at the lineout, where the usual quick ball that the All Blacks operate with continually was hampered by a well-drilled English side under Borthwick.
Smith was superb at fly-half, setting up England’s two first-half tries with sublime cross-field kicks which were brilliantly finished by wingers Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tommy Freeman. The latter’s try on the stroke of half-time gave England a slim one-point lead.
England then dominated the opening stages of the second half, with Smith collecting another three-points to extend the visitor’s lead.
With Maro Itoje colossal around the park, Ben Earl and Sam Underhill ferocious at the breakdown and halfback Alex Mitchell sending the ball continually into the dark skies, England looked like threatening the All Blacks’ Eden Park dynasty.
But the introduction of Barrett midway through the second half changed the course of the match.
With a dominant scrum and some desperate goal-line defence, they ensured Robertson’s start to his tenure as All Blacks coach remained unblemished.