New Zealand edge England by tightest of margins after Courtney Lawes' late try disallowed at Twickenham
England fell agonisingly short of toppling New Zealand after a late try by Sam Underhill was controversially ruled out in a 16-15 defeat at Twickenham.
Courtney Lawes charged down TJ Perenara's 76th-minute box kick and the ball fell to Underhill, who weaved full-back Damian McKenzie inside out to touch down in the left corner.
After reviewing the try with the TMO, however, referee Jerome Garces judged that Lawes had been in an offside position and awarded the All Blacks a penalty.
It was a marginal call and England responded with a late onslaught that failed to produce the crucial winning score, but it was a fine performance from Eddie Jones' men that will serve them well heading into next year's World Cup.
They led from the second minute until the 60th as early tries by Chris Ashton and Dylan Hartley helped them to a scarcely-believable 15-0 lead that was gradually eroded.
Beauden Barrett nudged the All Blacks in front with a penalty as England's play grew progressively worse having set off like a steam train, their forwards bristling with aggression.
The momentum shift began late in the first half and was confirmed by a terrific try from McKenzie.
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's autumn international between England and New Zealand, brought to you from pitchside at Twickenham.
Kick-off is not until 3:00pm GMT, but we'll be bringing you all the build-up from 1:30pm as we look ahead to what is one of the biggest games on the rugby calendar this year, having been four years in the maing.
But in the meantime, you can read out full match preview to look ahead to the big Test.
We're all set up at a sunny Twickenham stadium ahead of this afternoon's crunch encounter, and while I'm delighted to report that it's gloriously sunny overhead, there's due to be plenty of cloud and rain later on that could have quite the impact on how this game plays out.
Of course, today is the RFU's opportunity to pay tribute on Remembrance Weekend, and with this year being the Centenary of the end of the First World War, there's plenty planned to honour the fallen.
A wreath has already been laid at the Golden Gates outside the stadium, and the two teams will run out of the tunnel past cross the spot where soil from former England captain and centre Ronnie Poulton’s grave at the Royal Berkshire Cemetery in Belgium was buried before The Army v Navy match in May.
We will have the playing of The Last Post before a minute's silence, with the Haka then taken place to take matters back to rugby.
There will also be the singing of 'Keep The Home Fires Burning' by Laura Wright at half-time, and New Zealand’s Reserve Bank has minted an Armistice Day edition of the 50 cent piece, one of which will be used in Saturday’s coin toss. These coins will be sent to players and team management too.
As mentioned, today sees the return of the Haka to Twickenham, which will undoubtedly prove to be one of the occassions of the day.
To try and find out a bit more about it, and also what makes the All Blacks 'aura' so powerful, we sent Samuel Lovett into the New Zealand training camp this week, and he got a bit more than he bargained for.
Turning attentions back to England, Eddie Jones has made three changes this week from the side that defeated South Africa last weekend, with Ben Moon, Sam Underhill and Chris Ashton all coming into the side.
Jones paid particular attention to Ashton, who today makes his first start for England in four years after returning from his international exile last weekend as a replacement.
With the ability to sniff out a try from nowhere, Jones hopes that Ashton can recall his glory days at Twickenham and unpick this New Zealand defence to pave the way to victory.
One thing England know they need to improve this weekend is their defence, and that especially means Maro Itoje after he was sin-binned inside 16 minutes last weekend.
Itoje admitted this week that he knows he has to clean up his act, but that doesn't mean he's going to compromise his physical and imposing approach.
England: Elliot Daly; Chris Ashton, Henry Slade, Ben Te’o, Jonny May; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Ben Moon, Dylan Hartley, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Brad Shields, Sam Underhill, Mark Wilson.
Replacements: Jamie George, Alec Hepburn, Harry Williams, Charlie Ewels, Courtney Lawes, Danny Care, George Ford, Jack Nowell.
New Zealand: Damian McKenzie; Ben Smith, Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Karl Tu'inukuafe, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks; Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Liam Squire, Ardie Savea, Kieran Read.
Replacements: Dane Coles, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Richie Mo'unga, Ryan Crotty.
The pre-kick off rain that had been forcast has arrived just 15 minutes before we get underway here, and that could well impact New Zealand's ability to spread the ball and put the width in attack on it due to the slippery conditions.
The only problem is that where this once meant that the game swung in England's favour, that's no longer the case with this lightweight pack, and so it should have the same impact on both sides.
Both teams are going through their final preparations inside the changing rooms, as Laura Wright emrges for her rendition of Jerusalem. A giant poppy is also unfurled out on the pitch, providing a timely reminder that we'll have a little delay before kick-off to honour those lost at war on Remembrance Weekend.
The stadium was still filling up at this point last week against South Africa, but this is the All Blacks, and Twickenham is absolutely packed to the rafters. Not even the atrocious weather is keeping fans away, and the team emerge into the tunnel to mean we're just minutes away from getting the show on the road.
2 mins: Unvelievable, you could not write this. New Zealand are still fast asleep and England make good progress through runs from Te'o and Itoje. That sucks in the defence, and Chris Ashton is in acres of space out wide to Farrell to throw a looping pass to, and the wing slides in at the corner to score inside two minutes on his first England start in four years! Farrell misses the extras but England lead! 5-0
6 mins: England are definitely on the front foot here as Youngs' box-kick is fielded by McKenzie, who is nailed into touch by Underhill. Fromt he lineout, England spread left to May, and his chip and chase is gathered by McKenzie - just - and he's dragged dead to give England the 5m scrum.
England: Elliot Daly; Chris Ashton, Henry Slade, Ben Te’o, Jonny May; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Ben Moon, DYlan Hartley, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Brad Shields, Sam Underhill, Mark Wilson.
Replacements:Jamie George, Alec Hepburn, Harry Williams, Charlie Ewels, Courtney Lawes, Danny Care, George Ford, Jack Nowell.
New Zealand:Damian McKenzie; Ben Smith, Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Karl Tu'inukuafe, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks; Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Liam Squire, Ardie Savea, Kieran Read.
Replacements:Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Richie Mo'unga, Ryan Crotty.
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