Straight from the bench, All Blacks veteran Beauden Barrett served an ice-cold reminder as to why he is regarded as one of the greatest to ever do it in the black jersey.
Entering a cauldron of intensity with just over half an hour to play, Barrett took the sting out of the previously buzzing England attack as he diffused Marcus Smith’s highly effective short-range kicking game. Mopping up the bombardment of dinks behind the line as if he were simply playing some backyard rugby, Barrett cut off England’s most fruitful source of attacking possession. On attack, his ability to periodically pop up at first receiver freed up a stifled-looking Damian McKenzie to play his more natural fast and loose game.
WATCH: Smith and Freeman combine to put England in front in Auckland
His influence on the contest was a throwback to his form of seven years ago when he was the world player of the year as he dragged his team back from a potential disaster at 17 – 13 down to a 24 – 17 win to keep Scott Robertson’s undefeated start as All Blacks coach rolling.
For all of Barrett’s brilliance in this period, winger Mark Telea remained the star attraction in today’s fixture as he scored both of the All Blacks’ tries.
Displaying exceptional spacial awareness for the first try, Telea contorted his body to keep his feet out of touch whilst also seeing off the English defenders to get the ball down. For his second score, his pace and awareness to trail Barrett and calm demeanour to get the ball down sealed the comeback.
Beauden Barrett sets up EXCEPTIONAL All Blacks try to take the lead against England
Whilst the loss will certainly sting Steve Borthwick’s England side, they showed once again that they are a coming force that is buoyed by the elevation of a raft of young and talented operators.
Pulling the strings masterfully, flyhalf Marcus Smith had his best showing to date in an England shirt as he punished the All Blacks both with ball in hand and from the boot. Clearly aware of the growing threat posed by his namesake Fin, Smith has firmly clutched the starting number ten shirt during this series and looks to be far more comfortable in the new attacking structures that have been put in place by Borthwick’s staff.
Outside of Smith, wingers Tommy Freeman and Imanuel Feyi-Waboso were exceptional, while centres Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade caused all sorts of problems for the All Blacks’ defence.
Elsewhere, Maro Itoje turned back the clocks to deliver a rugged and intelligent performance that truly scuppered the All Blacks line-out and maul. Now 29 years old, Itoje appears to be enjoying a career renaissance 83 caps into his international career and is a crucial leader within the new-look England pack.
Next up for the All Blacks is a unique clash with Fiji in San Diego ahead of their 2024 Rugby Championship opener against Argentina on August 10th.
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