The All Blacks XV delivered a masterclass, leaving England A in the dust with a commanding 31-14 victory in Bath. This match wasn't just a win; it was a demonstration of rugby excellence. Let's dive into how the All Blacks XV dominated and what made this match so compelling.
Played under the crisp autumn sky, the All Blacks XV set the tone early, scoring the first points within the initial twelve minutes and never relinquishing their lead. Their precision was evident, especially when you consider that they forced England A into a staggering 23 handling errors. Moreover, their dominance in lineouts was remarkable, restricting England A to a mere 57% success rate.
Despite making eight changes from their previous victory against the Barbarians, the All Blacks XV seamlessly found their rhythm. A crucial early lineout steal by lock Jamie Hannah, followed by a scrum penalty, set the stage for their opening try.
They executed a powerful maul, with David Havili and Hannah driving the ball forward. Halfback Kyle Preston then skillfully passed to the right, enabling fullback Chay Fihaki to set up the prolific winger Caleb Tangitau for the try.
Brydon Ennor, the man of the match, was a force to be reckoned with. He made a crucial line break, completed nine tackles, and secured two turnovers. His most impactful play came in the 25th minute when he stole the ball, preventing an English score and igniting a length-of-the-field attack, capped off by a dynamic run from Sevu Reece and a brilliant finish from Hannah, who contributed 12 tackles during the match.
But here's where it gets controversial... The All Blacks XV's brief fumble of an aerial kick in the 26th minute was swiftly punished by Josh Hodge, the lively Exeter Chiefs fullback and top scorer at the 2019 World Rugby Under-20 Championships. This highlights the razor-thin margins in high-level rugby.
In the 53rd minute, England A conceded a turnover, and Folau Fakatava, who had replaced Kyle Preston, seized the opportunity. His quick play on the short side released Josh Jacomb, who then converted the try, extending the lead to 19-7.
The All Blacks XV effectively deployed four loose forwards, with TK Howden at lock, winning three lineouts and making nine tackles. Devan Flanders excelled 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 victory was sealed in the 64th minute with an 80-meter try by Rivez Reihana, showcasing the skills of David Havili and Jacomb. Fakatava added another try in the 76th minute, emphasizing the contributions of Christian Lio-Willie, Howden, Tangitau, and Reihana. England A managed a consolation try through Joe Batley, but the day belonged to the All Blacks XV.
And this is the part most people miss... This victory marks the All Blacks XV's sixth consecutive win since 2023. Their next challenge awaits them against Uruguay at Stade Raoul-Barrière in Béziers, France.
What do you think about the All Blacks XV's strategy? Do you agree with the man-of-the-match selection? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
