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Late Harrison try seals dramatic win for England over New Zealand
WXV Global Series
England (7) 26
Tries: Moloney-MacDonald, Kildunne, Breach, Harrison Cons: Harrison 3
New Zealand (12) 19
Tries: Du Plessis, Leti-I'iga, Paul Cons: Sorensen-McGee 2
Zoe Harrison scored a last-gasp try as England defeated New Zealand at Allianz Stadium to avoid a second successive draw in the WXV Global Series.
With the scores level at 19-19 in the 81st minute and having missed a penalty moments earlier, Harrison intercepted a pass as the Black Ferns tried to counter-attack, the fly-half diving over the line and piled up on by celebrating team-mates.
The world champions' record 39-game winning run came to an end last weekend in the 26-26 draw with Canada, but this week they were able to find a dramatic path to victory, much to the delight of the 59,871 crowd.
New Zealand, the last team to beat England in the World Cup final in 2022, suffered their first defeat under new head coach Whitney Hansen.
The Black Ferns had taken a deserved lead at half-time after tries from Amy du Plessis and Ayesha Leti-I'iga ruled out Claudia Moloney-MacDonald's opening score.
Tries by Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach restored John Mitchell's side's lead, before Mererangi Paul's converted try drew the game level on 70 minutes.
England now travel to Canada to complete their three-Test series against the World Cup finalists in Toronto and Ottawa, while the Black Ferns play France in Hamilton.
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'Absolutely brilliant' - Moloney-MacDonald try puts Red Roses in front
The Black Ferns have beaten the Red Roses in all five World Cup final meetings they have contested.
Canada outclassed New Zealand in last year's World Cup semi-final to deny a repeat of what is one of rugby's great rivalries.
Under Hansen, who took over as head coach after last year's disappointing World Cup, the Black Ferns were unbeaten and have defeated Canada and France this year.
The world's second-ranked side spent a large chunk of the first half deep in England's 22, and an opportunistic kick found unmarked space for Du Plessis to dot down for a deserved try.
England comfortably beat New Zealand 49-31 in their most recent meeting in 2024, winning all three encounters since their 2022 World Cup final defeat, which has opened the door for Canada to become the Red Roses' toughest contest.
However, the years were rolled back in Twickenham as Hansen's side brought a fearsome level of physicality and speed to challenge the Red Roses.
Leti-I'iga, who had an opening try ruled out, caused havoc throughout the first half and finally crossed after Tyla King broke clear, before a poorly judged cross-field kick, with another try beckoning, let Mitchell's side off the hook.
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King splits defence with 'brilliant dummy' to set up Leti-I'iga try
England have not led at half-time in any of their Global WXV Series games.
Given their season only began two weeks ago against Australia, Mitchell has been quick to defend his side's rustiness.
Individual magic from Kildunne, who spotted a gap on the wing for her try, and a yellow card for a high shot by Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, presented Mitchell with an opportunity to empty his bench with momentum behind his side.
Breach's simple finish came in the next play as any fears of a first loss in four years began to dissolve.
But the Black Ferns refused to go away and continued to trouble England's defence, which is now being influenced by coaching consultant Shaun Edwards.
Mitchell's side were criticised for turning down a kickable penalty late in the game against Canada.
The opportunity again presented itself, and Harrison took it on from distance, but the ball came up well short.
Canada opted to kick the ball out and accept the draw last week, which is not in the DNA of New Zealand, and they attacked from distance in an attempt to inflict England's first loss on home soil since 2016.
That proved to be the wrong decision, as a pass was picked off deep inside the visitors' 22, and instead the Red Roses won their 14th straight game at Allianz Stadium.
England: Kildunne; Breach, Jones (capt), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Harrison, L Packer; Carson, Field, Bern, Talling, Ives Campion, Matthews, Kabeya, Feaunati
Replacements: Campbell, Botterman, Muir, Burton, Packer, Hunt, Heard, Sing
New Zealand: Sorensen-McGee; Paul, Brunt, Du Plessis, Leti-I'iga; H King, Joseph; Viliko, Ponsonby, Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Roos, Bayfield, Mikaele-Tu'u, E-P King, Olsen-Baker
Replacements: Lolohea, Robinson, Taumata, Vaipulu, Sae, Turner, McGregor, Saili
Referee: Clara Munarini (Italy)
Assisant referees: Ben Connor (Wales) and Beatrice Smussi (Italy)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
