Full Breakdown
England Stages Last-Minute Comeback to Beat New Zealand 26-19 in WXV Global Series
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Match Summary and Turning Points
England entered the second half trailing 19-13 after New Zealand’s Amy Du Plessis and Ayesha Leti-I’iga crossed the line. A pivotal interception by fly-half Zoe Harrison in the 81st minute turned a missed penalty into a try, securing a 26-19 victory. Earlier, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald gave England the opening score, followed by tries from Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach. New Zealand responded with a converted try from Mererangi Paul to level the match at 19-19 before Harrison’s decisive play. The game featured a yellow card for Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (New Zealand) and a high tackle on Lucy Packer (England) that forced her off.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: England 26, New Zealand 19.
- Tries: England – Moloney-MacDonald, Kildunne, Breach, Harrison; New Zealand – Du Plessis, Leti-I’iga, Paul.
- Conversions: England – Harrison; New Zealand – Sorensen-McGee.
- Attendance: 59,871 spectators at Twickenham.
- England’s unbeaten run extended to 41 matches; New Zealand entered the match on an eight-game winning streak.
- Referee: Clara Munarini (Italy).
Official Outlook and Upcoming Fixtures
England’s campaign continues with a two-Test series in Canada later this month, while New Zealand will host France in October for a three-Test series. Both teams remain in contention for the WXV Global Series title.
Verbatim Quote
> “Obviously the kick didn’t go the way I wanted it to. I felt I had to make up for it somehow. That last bit was a bit shit or bust. They had an overlap and I had to stop it somehow, so I just thought I had to get in their eyeline and grab the ball, score a try.” — Zoe Harrison