Scott Robertson Starts Strong as New Zealand Beats England

Scott Robertson marked a successful start as head coach with New Zealand narrowly defeating England 16-15 in a thrilling opening Test in Dunedin. Damian McKenzie’s two crucial second-half penalties overturned England’s lead, with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s try initially putting the visitors ahead. The match was tightly contested, with both sides exchanging scores, including tries from Sevu Reece, Ardie Savea and Maro Itoje for England. Despite England’s spirited defensive efforts and tactical acumen, particularly in limiting the All Blacks’ scoring opportunities, they fell short in converting key moments.

Marcus Smith, despite scoring a try and contributing points, missed several kicks that could have made the difference for England. New Zealand, under new leadership with Robertson and Scott Barrett as captain, aimed to overcome recent setbacks against England. They showed resilience, particularly through McKenzie’s pivotal contributions to secure victory and set the stage for the final Test in Auckland. The match highlighted England’s defensive improvements under Felix Jones but also revealed areas for improvement in converting attacking opportunities.

For New Zealand, while victory was paramount, there remains a focus on refining their gameplay as they build towards future challenges, including the 2027 World Cup. The series now moves to Auckland where England will seek redemption and New Zealand will aim to build on their early success under Robertson’s tenure.