The All Blacks V England whole schedule for the 2024 Test schedule been released by New Zealand Rugby. The first of three Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series Tests will take place on Saturday, July 6, at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, in front of home supporters.
The teams’ encounter at Twickenham on Saturday, their first since that surprisingly one-sided Rugby World Cup semifinal, appears to be more of a tussle than it would have if it had been set for a week ago.
After a spirited victory over Scotland, New Zealand Rugby is in the clear. For an hour at Murrayfield, it was anything but convincing. Japan was tested seven times by England. It was encouraging.
All Blacks V England Steinlager Series
Event: All Blacks v England | NZ Rugby
Date: 6th July 2024
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: TBC
A week ago, the team’s mentality was very different. In Cardiff, the All Blacks annihilated Wales. They were in motion. Argentina defeated England at home. There was no urgency or flexibility in the attempt.
England saves a tie against All Blacks an incredible comeback
Why did England wait so long to visit it? Eddie Jones’ team disproved their image as toothless game-chasers in eight thrilling, captivating minutes that had Twickenham in stitches by forcing one of their most unlikely draws ever.
In 23 previous Test matches, Will Stuart had not scored a try for his nation. However, in this particular match, he went all out, scoring two tries to overturn a 19-point deficit against the All Blacks V England. Amid scenes of eye-popping, beer-throwing hysteria, the stadium practically rocked.
It was a dizzying change in momentum that was masterfully planned in its last moments. What an amazing team this is: incredibly mistake-prone for 72 minutes, then virtually unstoppable for the remaining time.
Even the last whistle produced a strange mixture of feelings as 81,000 supporters urged England to continue playing in order to win, only for Marcus Smith to kick the ball out in order to force a draw.
The coach of New Zealand, Ian Foster, has little doubt about what his men would have done in the same situation. He smiled, “I think we would have had a crack.”
Give credit where credit is due, though: under Jones, England may have shown for the first time that they are capable of perfecting the comeback. A coach facing the most severe inquisitions could not have come at a better moment for Stuart’s bullying interventions.
The hosts were down 25–6, but not before Beauden Barrett’s drop goal had given them a yellow card for pushing Smith to the ground. With a masterful use of the man advantage, England turned this most peculiar of Tests into an absolute classic.