Late Tele’a try and Ford misses break England hearts as New Zealand triumph

Mark Tele’a scores New Zealand’s decisive third try late on to deny Steve Borthwick’s England. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Observer

The first weekend of the Autumn Nations Series was always going to be interesting. Two sides in need of an uplifting result, 80,000-plus spectators keen to renew their big match vows in a newly retitled stadium. It duly delivered a flawed classic and a breathtaking finish which saw Steve Borthwick’s side narrowly miss out – again – on a morale-boosting win over the All Blacks.

Reclaiming the Hillary Shield would have been all the sweeter for England following their 2-0 summer series defeat but again they blew chances to land the killer blow. A late 40-metre penalty from George Ford hit an upright and, with the game’s last kick, Ford also missed a drop goal attempt which would have secured a first home win over New Zealand for 12 years.