New Zealand vs England LIVE! Result, updates and reaction after second Test thriller

New Zealand vs England LIVE!

England have been left to rue another agonising narrow defeat to close their summer series in New Zealand. Steve Borthwick’s side were impressive again in Saturday’s Second Test in Auckland, providing a serious threat to the All Blacks’ long unbeaten streak at their Eden Park rugby fortress that stretches back an incredible 30 years to 1994.

England led by a point at half-time thanks to tries from wings Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tommy Freeman that were perfectly teed up by Marcus Smith kicks, an emphatic response to falling behind early through Mark Tele’a’s opening score. They then lead by four following an early second-half penalty, looking good value for a potentially famous win until Tele’a struck again with just under 20 minutes to play after a brilliant break from replacement Beauden Barrett.

Fly-half Damian McKenzie slotted over two late penalties to wrap up another nervy win for New Zealand under new boss Scott Robertson, with England pushing for a last-gasp draw until Jamie George was held up over the line in a move that was ruled illegal by the officials anyway. Follow New Zealand vs England Second Test reaction live below!

New Zealand vs England highlights

• PENALTIES! Two late McKenzie kicks secure win

• TRY! Tele'a scores again to give New Zealand lead

• PENALTY! Smith extends advantage to four points

• TRY! Freeman gives England half-time lead

• TRY! England hit back through Feyi-Waboso

• TRY! Tele'a puts All Blacks in front early

Jamie George: There is no ceiling for this England team

12:32 , George Flood

A disappointed but proud Jamie George, who says he doesn’t believe there is a ceiling for this talented England team...

Scott Barrett: 'Strong' England tested All Blacks' character

11:48 , George Flood

New Zealand captain Scott Barrett credited England’s efforts but ultimately felt his side deserved to win today...

"I'm hugely proud of the boys to hold on and win the arm wrestle and finish off a good performance," the All Blacks skipper said.

"Test matches certainly test your character and we had to dig deep there right until the last minute.

“Well done to England, they've had two strong Test matches against us."

Maro Itoje: We gave them easy points and easy territory

11:40 , George Flood

Maro Itoje, meanwhile, said England were too inaccurate and ill-disciplined having dominated the first 20 minutes of the second half before Beauden Barrett’s star cameo...

"It's tough. We've shown some improvement in the way we're playing the game but this wasn't good enough at the end of the day," he said.

"In the second half we were not as accurate as we wanted to be.

“We gave away a few too many penalties and we gave them easy points and easy territory.

“When you're playing against a good team you can't really do that.

"We gave them backfield opportunities to run it back to them and Beauden Barrett and the rest of them are good players.

“We live and we learn. We're only going to get better for these experiences."

Marcus Smith rues 'small moments' that cost England

11:38 , George Flood

Marcus Smith has lamented the “small moments” that ultimately cost England dearly in another agonising close defeat today...

"For me it was just the small moments. Eden Park is a historic place and we had the belief we could do something special," he told Sky Sports.

"It was probably the small moments - a touch at the breakdown, a few wrong decisions on the edges from myself - that turned the tie in the All Blacks' favour.

"When they're ahead, they're obviously a very successful team and it's hard to wrestle momentum back. Tough one to take.

"We're building to something and the belief we have is growing. On another day we get the result here, or the result last week.

"Fair play to New Zealand, they're a tough team to beat. We'll give them a good go in the autumn."

New Zealand 24-17 England

10:11 , George Flood

As for New Zealand, their remarkable 30-year unbeaten streak at Eden Park remains intact.

It now stands at 49 consecutive matches, an incredible run that includes 47 wins and two draws.

A successful start to a new era of transition under Scott Robertson in their first games since that agonising World Cup final loss to South Africa in October, but they were given huge scares in both matches.

That was a very below-par display today before the late comeback and they have plenty of things to work on before the Rugby Championship starts in August.

Next up for them is a trip to San Diego to face Fiji next weekend.

New Zealand 24-17 England

10:07 , George Flood

England’s players look absolutely crestfallen after another extremely valiant effort ends in close defeat.

They’ve lost the series 2-0 and have still only ever won on New Zealand soil twice, and not since 2003.

But how close they came in both Dunedin and now Auckland in another sign of their clear progress under Steve Borthwick following last summer’s nadir after that run to the World Cup semi-finals in the autumn and mostly improved Six Nations.

There are still issues to fix, but they should hold their heads up high.

New Zealand 24-17 England

10:01 , George Flood

Full-time

New Zealand 24-17 England

10:01 , George Flood

81 mins: The officials rule there is no collapse of the maul after some solid New Zealand defending at the death.

They also rule obstruction with Ollie Lawrence in front of Jamie George there.

The England captain is furious, but referee Nic Berry is having none of it.

The New Zealand celebrations begin before they tap it out to signal the end of another thrilling Test.

New Zealand 24-17 England

09:59 , George Flood

80 mins: England’s maul is dragged down.

Jamie George then charges behind Ollie Lawrence and is held up over the line by Beauden Barrett.

Plenty for the referee and TMO to sort out here with the clock in the red.

New Zealand 24-17 England

09:57 , George Flood

79 mins: England have another chance as they kick for one last lineout in the corner.

Can they secure a draw?!

Now or never...

New Zealand 24-17 England

09:56 , George Flood

78 mins: Turnover ball from New Zealand right in front of their own line!

New Zealand 24-17 England

09:56 , George Flood

76 mins: A hit off the ball from All Blacks captain Scott Barrett gives England a late penalty in the opposition 22.

Ollie Sleightholme making his impact felt off the bench.

Three points are obviously no good for England now, so they kick for the lineout in the corner...

PENALTY! New Zealand 24-17 England | Damian McKenzie 75'

09:52 , George Flood

75 mins: Damian McKenzie does the business again!

England now need a converted try just to level with time running out.

A superb comeback from the All Blacks, whose 30-year unbeaten run at Eden Park is surely now safe.

New Zealand 21-17 England

09:51 , George Flood

74 mins: Safe lineout ball for New Zealand, but a combination of Maro Itoje and Alex Coles then give away another penalty.

Damian McKenzie steps up again to give the All Blacks a seven-point lead with just over five minutes to play at Eden Park.

New Zealand 21-17 England

09:50 , George Flood

72 mins: The All Blacks celebrate winning a huge scrum penalty with time ticking down.

They kick for the lineout on the edge of the England 22.

New Zealand 21-17 England

09:49 , George Flood

70 mins: It is Freddie Steward off for the HIA, Marcus Smith back on at 15.

Ollie Sleightholme for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was a straight swap on the wing.

New Zealand 21-17 England

09:47 , George Flood

70 mins: I think Freddie Steward is going off for a HIA now.

Or is it Immanuel Feyi-Waboso who needs it?

Either way, Ollie Sleightholme is on for only his second England cap.

PENALTY! New Zealand 21-17 England | Damian McKenzie 68'

09:44 , George Flood

68 mins: Maro Itoje is caught offside after Beauden Barrett is denied an absolutely incredible try by Freddie Steward after an impudent volley.

Instead it’s three points from the boot of Damian McKenzie. Four points now the All Blacks lead...

New Zealand 18-17 England

09:43 , George Flood

65 mins: More pressure from New Zealand after the try, led by the fantastic Beauden Barrett.

But England respond well through Ollie Lawrence as they look to hit back quickly once more.

Beauden Barrett now putting on his own skills clinic, much to the delight of this Eden Park crowd.

New Zealand 18-17 England

09:41 , George Flood

62 mins: A change at fly-half from England with Fin Smith on for namesake Marcus.

Alex Coles is also on for Chandler Cunningham-South.

Asafo Aumua and Anton Lienert-Brown replace Codie Taylor and Rieko Ioane for New Zealand.

TRY! New Zealand 18-17 England | Mark Telea 61'

09:38 , George Flood

61 mins: Ruthless from the All Blacks!

Beauden Barrett launches a wonderful break after Damian McKenzie recognises a mismatch.

England are very short on defenders over on the right flank and Barrett eventually puts in Mark Telea for his second try of the evening.

The conversion is missed! Now New Zealand have the one-point lead with just under 20 minutes left at Eden Park.

New Zealand 13-17 England

09:35 , George Flood

59 mins: Very clever from England as they go short to successfully negotiate an exit from a dangerous lineout in front of their own try line.

But here come the All Blacks once more, with some wind in their sails at long last...

New Zealand 13-17 England

09:34 , George Flood

58 mins: Finally New Zealand launch an attack into the England half, stealing a couple of lineouts in a row to give them some much-needed momentum.

New Zealand 13-17 England

09:33 , George Flood

56 mins: Beauden Barrett, Fletcher Newell and Tupou Vaa'i are all on for New Zealand now.

Off go Stephen Perofeta, Tyrel Lomax and Patrick Tuipulotu.

New Zealand 13-17 England

09:31 , George Flood

56 mins: Marcus Smith with a fantastic kick that bobbled out of play just in front of the New Zealand try line.

However, an infringement during the set-up of the lineout from England costs them the chance to exert some more serious pressure.

New Zealand 13-17 England

09:31 , George Flood

55 mins: No rhythm at all in this game at the moment, which will suit England fine as time continues to bleed off the clock.

So strange to see an All Blacks team looking this scrappy and disjointed.

They’ve been camped in their own half for pretty much all of the second half so far.

New Zealand 13-17 England

09:27 , George Flood

A huge achievement for Dan Cole.

Ben Youngs is now only 12 caps ahead...

New Zealand 13-17 England

09:26 , George Flood

51 mins: Scott Robertson replaces loosehead Ethan de Groot and flanker Samipeni Finau with Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Luke Jacobson.

Sevu Reece kicks into touch and England come again, with a scrum now after a knock-on as New Zealand tried to intercept.

Cortez Ratima now on for his New Zealand debut at scrum-half. Finlay Christie off.

No pressure...

New Zealand 13-17 England

09:23 , George Flood

50 mins: Tom Curry, by the way, was one of three forwards brought on by Steve Borthwick a few moments ago.

Also on are Theo Dan and Dan Cole, who now moves clear of Jason Leonard as England’s outright second most-capped men’s player of all time, behind only Ben Youngs.

Off go Sam Underhill, Jamie George and Will Stuart.

New Zealand 13-17 England

09:22 , George Flood

50 mins: Some concern here for Henry Slade as he was accidentally caught by the knee of Tom Curry in a tackle attempt.

The referee quickly halts the game after the players point out that it’s a head injury.

He’s receiving treatment from the physios but thankfully seems okay.

PENALTY! New Zealand 13-17 England | Marcus Smith 48'

09:19

48 mins: Cool as you like again from Marcus Smith.

England lead by four points at Eden Park with just over half an hour to play.

New Zealand 13-14 England

09:17 , George Flood

47 mins: New Zealand celebrate another hard-earned defensive penalty at the breakdown after the lineout.

But referee Nic Berry has actually given it the other way for Dalton Papali’i’s hit on Henry Slade, which is said to be off the ball and leaves England a man short as they try to clean out.

A surprise call that will give Marcus Smith the chance to push out the England lead to four points early in the second half...

New Zealand 13-14 England

09:15 , George Flood

45 mins: More strong defending inside the 22 from Mark Telea, who along with hooker Codie Taylor secures an important turnover after England captain Jamie George is taken down.

New Zealand have the put-in at another scrum, which is solid from the All Blacks before Stephen Perofeta clears into touch.

New Zealand 13-14 England

09:14 , George Flood

44 mins: It’s still not happening for the All Blacks as Rieko Ioane is pinged offside to halt their latest attack, leading to Marcus Smith kicking into touch on the edge of the hosts’ 22.

Some strong carries then ensue...

New Zealand 13-14 England

09:12 , George Flood

42 mins: A bit of a kicking battle at the start of the second half before Jordie Barrett - whose white collar is stained with blood - takes out Marcus Smith in the air and is penalised.

New Zealand 13-14 England

09:09

Back underway at Eden Park, where England lead by one solitary point - the same margin by which they lost the First Test in Dunedin of course.

No changes at the break, with Sam Underhill patched up after being bloodied just before half-time.

New Zealand 13-14 England

09:07 , George Flood

Sorting out that mess of a lineout will be Scott Robertson’s first job at half-time.

The All Blacks have been strong at the scrum but woeful at the lineout, which is costing them dearly in attack.

Robertson does not want to lose New Zealand’s 30-year unbeaten streak at Eden Park in only his second game in charge...

New Zealand 13-14 England

09:02

And here’s that first England try from Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who also scored in Dunedin last week.

Marcus Smith is shining at Eden Park...

New Zealand 13-14 England

09:00 , George Flood

What a kick and what a catch.

Remarkable from England

New Zealand 13-14 England

08:56

An astonishing end to an absorbing first half in Auckland.

Are England 40 minutes away from ending New Zealand’s 30-year unbeaten run at fortress Eden Park?

What a game.

TRY! New Zealand 13-14 England | Tommy Freeman 41'

08:52 , George Flood

41 mins: WOW!

George Martin carries well after the lineout and Marcus Smith ends up aiming another inch-perfect chip out to the wing, where Tommy Freeman takes a sublime catch over Mark Telea before going over.

Smith has his bearings from the tee today as he nails a tricky conversion.

ENGLAND LEAD AT HALF-TIME AT EDEN PARK! This is not a drill...

New Zealand 13-7 England

08:52 , George Flood

39 mins: England try to reduce the deficit before the interval, but Alex Mitchell’s kick behind the line is too deep for the chasing Henry Slade and Jordie Barrett touches down.

PENALTY! New Zealand 13-7 England | Damian McKenzie 38'

08:50 , George Flood

38 mins: Another little glance at the shot clock from Damian McKenzie before he slots over another kick.

New Zealand stretch their lead to six points before half-time.

New Zealand 10-7 England

08:49 , George Flood

37 mins: Damian McKenzie to aim another shot at goal before the break after Ben Earl brings down Ardie Savea but has his hands on the floor and isn’t supporting his body weight.

The new shot clock starts once again...

New Zealand 10-7 England

08:48 , George Flood

36 mins: New Zealand have good position with another lineout after a kick in behind into space puts Freddie Steward under pressure.

Can they make this one count and build another decent attacking platform with half-time approaching fast?

New Zealand 10-7 England

08:47

35 mins: This first half has absolutely flown by in a total blur of intensity, brilliant rugby and no shortage of poor errors.

New Zealand 10-7 England

08:45 , George Flood

33 mins: Itoje gives away a penalty which New Zealand kick to touch in the 22.

However, Codie Taylor then throws it straight to the England lock.

New Zealand’s lineout has been dreadful in this first half so far.

Taylor really struggling.

New Zealand 10-7 England

08:43 , George Flood

31 mins: Ben Earl slips coming off the back of an otherwise solid England scrum and is penalised for not releasing as he is dived upon by All Blacks defenders.

Penalty New Zealand, with Earl and Jordie Barrett then getting into it.

Tempers flare as the colossal George Martin also gets involved.

It’s quickly defused.

New Zealand 10-7 England

08:41 , George Flood

29 mins: New Zealand’s turn now to disrupt the England lineout well, but they knock the ball on in the process.

New Zealand 10-7 England

08:39 , George Flood

27 mins: Solid defence from New Zealand, with Rieko Ioane crashing into Ollie Lawrence as the Bath centre fails to take in a short pass from Ben Earl.

A lot of handling mistakes from both sides early on here, plus players slipping over - Jordie Barrett the latest.

The New Zealand lineout has been very ropey so far too. Hope for England...

New Zealand 10-7 England

08:36 , George Flood

25 mins: An unfortunate knock-on from Ollie Lawrence ruins England’s momentum in attack.

But they quickly shake that off and are now working the ball through the phases on the edge of the New Zealand 22...

New Zealand 10-7 England

08:34 , George Flood

23 mins: Maro Itoje is fired up here and has been an absolute menace for New Zealand at the lineout so far.

He disrupts another one and England end up with the put-in at the scrum.

He is roaring afterwards every time as well. Bang up for this one.

PENALTY! New Zealand 10-7 England | Damian McKenzie 20'

08:32

20 mins: England’s defence are under the cosh once again inside the 22, with multiple penalty advantages to New Zealand.

Damian McKenzie aims a free shot out to the right flank, which is just overhit as we come back for two offsides and ‘cranking’ at the scrum from England.

No mistake from McKenzie with a routine kick. The All Blacks are back in front.

New Zealand 7-7 England

08:28

17 mins: You can’t take your eyes off this game for a single second!

Marcus Smith has just prevented a certain second New Zealand try, which came after some dream handling and passing on the counter-attack.

Mark Telea ends up trying to pop it off inside to Stephen Perofeta to finish, but Smith is there to intercept.

England now under more pressure with a scrum five metres out from their own line...

TRY! New Zealand 7-7 England | Immanuel Feyi-Waboso 14'

08:23

14 mins: England hit straight back! Wow!

It’s an absolutely perfect cross-field chip from Marcus Smith to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who is in so much space as he cuts in off the right flank and leaves Jordie Barrett in the dust before diving over the line.

A nice easy conversion for Marcus Smith to start with too after last week’s struggles from the tee. All square again in Auckland!

TRY! New Zealand 7-0 England | Mark Telea 11'

08:21 , George Flood

11 mins: New Zealand strike first!

An absolutely monster carry there from reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Ardie Savea sets the All Blacks up deep in the England 22.

They narrow the defence and work the ball out left, where wing Mark Telea picks up and is rolled over the line by a desperate Immanuel Feyi-Waboso after Rieko Ioane is cut down.

He just about grounded it... did the feet stay in touch? The officials say yes. Damian McKenzie makes the subsequent conversion too.

New Zealand 0-0 England

08:18

9 mins: It took the All Blacks a little while to get going at the set-piece last week after a few early penalties, but they are gunning for England at scrum time so far today.

They apply big pressure in the England half and now have a free-kick following Maro Itoje’s infringement at the lineout.

New Zealand 0-0 England

08:16 , George Flood

6 mins: The first real danger posed by the All Blacks there with a superb counter-attack.

Stephen Perofeta breaks and Damian McKenzie gets a lucky bounce following a little chip through.

Hooker Codie Taylor goes bursting through, but he can’t find the crucial last pass during a crucial last-ditch challenge from Tommy Freeman.

He had to make that. England end up with another scrum.

New Zealand 0-0 England

08:14 , George Flood

5 mins: Not sure about that long-range drop-goal attempt from Marcus Smith - nowhere near.

New Zealand 0-0 England

08:13 , George Flood

4 mins: Massive pressure being applied all over the place by England in the early exchanges at Eden Park.

The All Blacks are under pressure, with England having the put-in at the first scrum of the day after a rare mistake from Jordie Barrett.

So much intensity from the tourists so far...

New Zealand 0-0 England

08:11

2 mins: A fast and furious start!

New Zealand escape well after big England pressure from the kick-off, with great hits from Codie Taylor and Finlay Christie.

Freddie Steward opts not to clear with the boot after a probing kick in behind from Damian McKenzie and is immediately set upon deep in the 22.

England get away through Ben Earl, but Maro Itoje is later penalised for not supporting his own weight at the breakdown.

New Zealand vs England

08:08 , George Flood

Here we go then - underway in Auckland as Marcus Smith kicks off.

Can England become the first team to beat the All Blacks at fortress Eden Park for 30 years?

The whistle being used by Nic Berry is over 100 years old, dating back to the matches between the teams in 1924 and 1925.

New Zealand vs England

08:06 , George Flood

Australia’s Nic Berry is today’s referee, supported by assistants Damon Murphy and Pierre Broussett plus TMO Brett Cronan.

England were said to have raised concerns over the legality of the New Zealand scrummaging in another big talking point this week...

New Zealand vs England

08:01 , George Flood

A raucous reception for the All Blacks.

Time for the national anthems now, with ‘God Save The King’ coming up before ‘God Defend New Zealand’.

Then it’ll be time for the pre-match Haka from the hosts.

07:59

Here come the teams in Auckland!

Already a brilliant atmosphere at Eden Park.

England look pumped in the tunnel.

Spotlight on Marcus Smith's kicking after First Test struggles

07:51

If England are to have a chance of ending New Zealand’s 30-year unbeaten streak at Eden Park today, you get the feeling that Marcus Smith will surely have to be more accurate from the tee.

The Harlequins fly-half missed three of his five kicks in Dunedin in the First Test, including two straightforward penalties that proved hugely costly in a one-point game.

It was hard to criticise him too much given that he stylishly assisted Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s second-half try and given that opposite number Damian McKenzie also left a fair few points out there, but it’s the one area of his game that needs to improve for the high-stakes Test arena.

Fin Baxter 'has an exciting future' after baptism of fire on debut

07:40 , George Flood

No 92-cap Joe Marler today is a huge loss of experience for England in the front row.

However, Jamie George has full confidence in young Fin Baxter after he was handed an early baptism of fire off the bench on debut in Dunedin last weekend.

"Fin takes everything in his stride. It was a really difficult situation that he found himself coming into," George said.

"A few scrum calls had gone against us and that can be quite a daunting prospect, but he just got on with it, worked incredibly hard and put in a brilliant performance.

“He deserves his start and has got an exciting future."

Jamie George: England aiming for 'special' upset at Eden Park

07:24 , George Flood

Jamie George says that ending New Zealand’s incredible 30-year unbeaten streak at fortress Eden Park today would be one of the greatest achievements in English rugby history.

He is relishing the hostile atmosphere ahead and insists that the tourists must be prepared for everything, including a far more aggressive and direct approach from the All Blacks at their spiritual home.

"Coming to New Zealand is very, very difficult. We had a taste of that last weekend," George said.

"At the same time I love playing at Eden Park because it's hostile and the crowd are brilliant.

“We want to go out there and do something special.

"It would be one of the greatest achievements in English rugby being able to do that.

“I'm saying that because we've got a huge amount of respect for the All Blacks coming off the back of the weekend.

"Their record at Eden Park is amazing. We expect them to be more confrontational and more direct.

"We're ready for that but at the same time you can't go into Test match rugby with too much expectation because that's often when you get caught out.

“We'll be ready for everything."

Jamie George inspired by England's run to Euro 2024 final

07:15 , George Flood

Today is admittedly not the biggest sporting fixture involving an England international team this weekend.

The men’s football side could finally end 58 long years of hurt against Spain in the final of Euro 2024 in Berlin tomorrow night, with England captain Jamie George insisting his team have been inspired by Gareth Southgate’s players in a bid for their own famous victory at Eden Park.

"We're all die-hard football fans so the performance has given us a massive lift. You can see the impact it has on so many people," George said after watching Wednesday night’s stunning last-gasp semi-final win over the Netherlands.

"England are a very proud nation and we're very proud of our sports teams. We want to make sure the England rugby team is part of that conversation.

"There's so much going on with the Euros and Wimbledon. The England cricket team are looking pretty good at the moment too.

"We want to make sure that we throw our hands up. Getting a win at Eden Park would certainly do that."

The footballs have even been out at training in Auckland this week...

'World-class' Freddie Steward tipped to thrive on England return

07:08

George Furbank was arguably England’s biggest attacking threat in the First Test, leading his side in a number of statistical categories including defenders beaten.

His late withdrawal for the summer series finale is certainly a blow to the tourists, though scrum coach Tom Harrison is confident that they won’t skip a beat with ‘world-class’ Freddie Steward deputising at full-back.

"It is massively disappointing for George, he has been brilliant in the way he has been playing this season," Harrison said on Friday.

"But on a brighter note we have got depth in that position and a world-class player in Freddie Steward coming in.

"Wherever we go, we play to our strengths. I don't think it changes our approach too much.

"Freddie has been working hard on the things that George has been good at and George has been working hard on the things that Freddie is good at, so when moments like this happen players are always ready to step into the plan.”

Scott Robertson backs All Blacks to kick on at 'special' Eden Park

06:55 , George Flood

New coach Scott Robertson was relieved to see the hosts squeeze home in his first game at the helm in Dunedin, with England still having only ever beaten the All Blacks twice on New Zealand soil and not since a few months before their World Cup triumph under Sir Clive Woodward in Australia back in 2003.

But he will now be looking for his transitional side to step things up in attack after shaking off some of the rust in their first game of 2024, in which their major weapons were largely held in check by England’s spirited defence.

Robertson has full confidence in new starting scrum-half Finlay Christie and is expecting the All Blacks to flourish once again at a sold-out Eden Park.

“Finlay has worked hard and earned his place in the starting side and it will be a proud day for Cortez [Ratima] and his whānau,” Robertson said.

“He’s a talented young man who is ready for Test footy.

“We can feel New Zealand’s support here in Auckland and we will hear it at a sold-out Eden Park.

“It’s a very special venue to the All Blacks, and we’re going there on Saturday to win the series against England.”

All Blacks to introduce shot clock after Damian McKenzie blunder

06:43 , George Flood

One interesting change today from last weekend’s First Test is the introduction of a shot clock.

In Dunedin, All Blacks fly-half Damian McKenzie was inexplicably timed out before he could get a late penalty attempt away that would have stretched the New Zealand lead to four points.

England ultimately could not get a last-gasp penalty or drop goal of their own to punish that glaring error, but the hosts are understandably keen to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

"NZ Rugby can confirm that there will be a shot clock shown on the stadium big screen and broadcast for this weekend's Test match in Auckland. This will also be in place for all home Test matches in 2024," a New Zealand Rugby statement said.

After his mistake, McKenzie said: “I'm not pointing the finger at anyone, it's completely on my shoulders.

“I have got to sort that out around my process, and speed things up.”

Dan Cole set to eclipse Jason Leonard with 115th England cap

06:33 , George Flood

A special moment ahead today for veteran tighthead prop Dan Cole, who last weekend came off the bench in Dunedin to join the great Jason Leonard as England’s second-most capped men’s player of all time, behind only Ben Youngs.

In doing so again today he will make his 115th senior international appearance to move clear of Leonard on the list, 12 behind long-time Leicester team-mate and podcast partner Youngs.

"I'd like to pay special tribute to Dan Cole,” Borthwick said this week.

“He has shown nothing but dedication and determination throughout his career and reaching this milestone is a remarkable feat.

"He's a superb rugby player and a wonderful role model.

“We all look forward to sharing a memorable day with him on Saturday."

Steve Borthwick mind games ramp up pressure on the All Blacks

06:20 , George Flood

Steve Borthwick is certainly not Eddie Jones, so it’s been particularly interesting to see the current England boss attempt to engage in a spot of pre-match mind games this week.

He has boldly tried to turn the Eden Park pressure back on the All Blacks, insisting that such an incredible unbeaten record brings with it a lot of expectation that could be hard to manage.

"Eden Park is a stadium packed with history and with memories of great rugby encounters," Borthwick said on Thursday.

"We are delighted to be playing there this Saturday in what I anticipate will be another excellent Test encounter.

"New Zealand has a formidable record at this venue, but with that comes the pressure of expectation.

"It will be interesting to see how New Zealand manages that expectation in front of a full house."

England face daunting challenge at fortress Eden Park

06:13 , George Flood

Attempting to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park must surely be the biggest challenge in international rugby union and one of the most daunting in all of sport.

You have to go all the way back to July 1994 for the last time that New Zealand lost a match at their Auckland fortress.

And even that took one of the most famous scores in rugby history to achieve - the so-called ‘try from the end of the world’ by full-back Jean-Luc Sadourny that sealed a memorable 23-20 win for France, who had also won the opening Test in Christchurch.

Since then, the All Blacks have gone a remarkable 48 games unbeaten at the 50,000-capacity Eden Park, 46 wins and only two draws.

In fact, they have only lost 10 games there in total since 1921.

New Zealand vs England prediction

06:01 , George Flood

England deserve a lot of credit for how they performed in the First Test last weekend.

Amid a red-hot atmosphere underneath the bright lights and closed roof of the noisy Forsyth Barr Stadium, they more than held their own and but for a better kicking performance from Marcus Smith and a bit more attacking edge could have been celebrating their first win on New Zealand soil for 21 years.

After the absolute nadir of last summer, the progress we saw during the shock run to the World Cup semi-finals, throughout large parts of the Six Nations and then against Eddie Jones’ inexperienced Japan team is certainly continuing, with England a match for all of the world’s best sides on their day.

However, it is very difficult to escape the notion that they ultimately could not take advantage of their best chance to beat the All Blacks on their own turf, with New Zealand beginning a new era under former Crusaders coach Scott Robertson and far from their firing best as they shook off the rust in their first match of 2024 minus a wealth of experience following the post-World Cup retirement of several stalwarts.

You get the sense that things will be far tougher this time around, not least because the All Blacks have long since forgotten what losing at Eden Park feels like.

Many of their current squad were not even born the last time New Zealand were defeated there way back in August of 1994.

It will take some effort from England to end that stunning streak, and it feels more likely that the impacts of a long and gruelling season will finally start to show during a more comprehensive loss than we saw in Dunedin.

New Zealand to win, by at least 10 points.

New Zealand vs England lineups

05:56 , George Flood

New Zealand XV: S Perofeta; S Reece, R Ioane, J Barrett, M Telea; D McKenzie, F Christie; E de Groot, C Taylor, T Lomax; S Barrett (c), P Tuipulotu; S Finau, D Papali’i, A Savea

Replacements: A Aumua, O Tu’ungafasi, F Newell, T Vaa'i, L Jacobson, C Ratima, A Lienert-Brown, B Barrett

England XV: F Steward; I Feyi-Waboso, H Slade, O Lawrence, T Freeman; M Smith, A Mitchell; F Baxter, J George (c), W Stuart; M Itoje, G Martin; C Cunningham-South, S Underhill, B Earl

Replacements: T Dan, B Rodd, D Cole, A Coles, T Curry, B Spencer, F Smith, O Sleightholme

England team news: Fin Baxter and Freddie Steward start

05:55 , George Flood

England boss Steve Borthwick initially also made only one injury-enforced change to his starting XV, with loosehead prop Fin Baxter handed his maiden senior international start in place of Harlequins team-mate Joe Marler, whom he replaced early on for his Red Rose debut in Dunedin after the latter suffered a foot injury that has ruled him out of the final Test.

Bevan Rodd has been called onto the bench as front-row cover, having started against Japan but then not even made the matchday squad at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

However, on Friday came the news that George Furbank - one of England’s key attacking threats described as the tourists’ ‘danger man’ by All Blacks counterpart Stephen Perofeta - had withdrawn from the squad with a back injury.

That means a return to the team today at full-back for high-ball specialist Freddie Steward, who makes his first England appearance since losing his starting job in February during the Six Nations.

New Zealand team news: Finlay Christie comes in at scrum-half

05:50 , George Flood

New Zealand have made one injury-enforced change to the lineup that secured the narrowest of victories in new head coach Scott Robertson’s first game in charge last weekend and their first match since losing the World Cup final to South Africa by a single point in Paris in October.

It’s come at scrum-half, where TJ Perenara - recovered from a long-term Achilles injury to replace the retired Aaron Smith - misses out with a knee problem that forced him off at half-time in Dunedin.

The Scottish-born Finlay Christie deputised in the second half in the First Test and now starts, with the uncapped Chiefs No9 Cortez Ratima called onto the bench.

How to watch New Zealand vs England

05:45 , George Flood

TV channel: Today’s Second Test will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports.

Coverage begins on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action at 7:30am BST.

Live stream: Those with a Sky Sports subscription can also watch the match live online via the Sky Go app.

Welcome to New Zealand vs England live coverage

05:42 , George Flood

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of New Zealand vs England in the Second Test in Auckland.

It’s the final match of England’s three-match summer tour series today as they seek to bounce back from last week’s thrilling but ultimately agonising one-point opening loss to the All Blacks in Dunedin, having thrashed Eddie Jones’ inexperienced Japan team in Tokyo last month.

It’s a formidable challenge ahead for Steve Borthwick’s side, with New Zealand having not lost at fortress Eden Park now for some 30 years.

Kick-off is again at 8:05am BST, so keep it right here for all your match build-up, team news and live updates across the morning. This should be another epic!