Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Robert Kitson in Auckland

Borthwick urges ‘excellent’ Smith to bounce back in All Blacks finale

England fly-half Marcus Smith rides the tackle of his opposite man Damian McKenzie in Dunedin
England fly-half Marcus Smith rides the tackle of his opposite man Damian McKenzie in Dunedin. Photograph: Joe Allison/The RFU Collection/Getty Images

Steve Borthwick has told Marcus Smith “not to dwell” on Saturday’s disappointing 16-15 first Test defeat to the All Blacks and has backed his fly-half to bounce back from the missed kicks which ended up costing England the possibility of a rare victory in New Zealand.

Smith was unable to slot three crucial kicks which could have propelled his team to their first win on Kiwi soil since 2003, with the hosts now guaranteed to retain the Hillary Shield ahead of the second and final Test on Saturday. The All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park in Auckland for the past 30 years.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.