Harrison’s late try wins thriller for Red Roses over New Zealand

Zoe Harrison’s converted try in added time saw England’s Red Roses return to winning ways in thrilling fashion over New Zealand.

Fly-half Harrison intercepted a pass inside the New Zealand 22 as the Black Ferns tried to counter her missed penalty attempt before adding the conversion to seal an epic 26-19 victory.

A crowd of nearly 60,000 at Allianz Stadium were treated to an absolute thriller between the world’s top two sides, where the lead changed hands three times before the Red Roses crossed for a fourth decisive try.

England had trailed 12-7 at half-time after New Zealand responded to Claudia Moloney-MacDonald’s try with scores from Amy Du Plessis and Ayesha Leti-I’iga.

But in the second half, England regained the lead when Ellie Kildunne burst clear and then Jess Breach stretched their lead to 19-12 as they took advantage of a yellow card for Black Ferns prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu for a high tackle on Marlie Packer.

New Zealand weren’t done though and levelled the scores at 19-19 when Mererangi Paul crossed with 10 minutes to play.

England looked to have missed their chance for victory when Harrison’s penalty dropped short of the posts, but her timely interception was the final act and ensured England bounced back to winning ways and extended their unbeaten run to 41 matches following last week’s thrilling 26-26 draw vs Canada.

England’s Claudia Moloney-MacDonald scored their first try of the game

September sunshine serves up epic tussle

The Red Roses came into this fixture at Twickenham having seen their 39-game winning run halted by World Cup runners-up Canada at Sandy Park seven days earlier.

New Zealand, the last side to beat England back in the 2022 World Cup final, were in fine form having won all seven of their Test matches this year so far.

It was the visitors who started with greater intent and gave England, who for the first time were benefitting from the tutelage of iconic defence coach Shaun Edwards, plenty to think about.

Winger Leti-I’iga looked to have given them the lead in the opening 10 minutes only for her try to be ruled out for a double-movement on review.

England did finally find their groove when Moloney-MacDonald crossed for the opening try from Kildunne’s pass and it looked to be setting the tone.

But the Black Ferns responded stoutly. First up, centre Du Plessis reduced the deficit when she chased down her own kick forward from Lucy Packer’s poor clearance and dotted down unopposed.

They would then take the lead soon after when Leti-I’iga scored just after the half-hour when she received fly-half Hannah King’s clever inside pass following a burst through the England defence.

The Red Roses had to withstand more pressure before the break and were fortunate to escape falling further behind when New Zealand knocked-on inches from the tryline.

Zoe Harrison crosses for England’s winning try in their thrilling 26-19 victory over New Zealand

Harrison writes last act of thriller

John Mitchell’s side came out after the break fired up and were rewarded by Kildunne scoring a trademark try as she had too much pace for the Black Ferns to handle out wide.

After a yellow card for tight-head prop Mahutariki-Fakalelu reduced them to 14 players, Breach went over for England’s third try in the corner and a 19-12 lead which looked set to be further built on.

But when New Zealand were back to full strength, they were threatening again and were rewarded with their third try as winger Paul finished off concerted pressure to make it 19-19.

Ellie Kildunne crossed the line to score and restore England’s lead in the second half

Chances looked to have gone begging for both sides to win it, no more so than when Harrison’s penalty attempt from 40 metres back was well short of the posts.

Instead of kicking for touch and taking the draw, New Zealand chose to run it from their own line and go for victory.

But an intercepted pass from Du Plessis was pounced on by Harrison who crossed to then be mobbed by her team-mates and lauded by a jubilant Twickenham crowd.

More to follow…

WXV Global Series: England’s schedule and results

• England 48-15 Australia
• England 26-26 Canada
• England 26-19 New Zealand (Twickenham)
• October 16 – Canada v England (Toronto)
• October 23 – Canada v England (Ottawa)
• October 30 – USA v England (New Jersey)