5 things we learned from England’s narrow defeat to New Zealand

England suffered a narrow 24-22 defeat to New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series opener, with questions raised over the decision to substitute Marcus Smith for George Ford. The loss marked England’s third consecutive defeat to the All Blacks, highlighting their struggles in closing out games against top opponents. With tough matches against Australia, South Africa, and Japan ahead, head coach Steve Borthwick faces pressure to secure wins and steer the team in the right direction amidst criticism of their composure in key moments. Despite a captivating Haka display and flashes of brilliance, New Zealand’s vulnerability under new coach Scott Robertson raises questions about their aura and performance as they navigate a challenging schedule.

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