England skipper Jamie George told his side to keep the faith after their agonising 16-15 defeat to New Zealand continued their drought down under.
Steve Borthwick’s team were aiming for a first win on New Zealand soil since 2003 and now they have to perform a rugby miracle to get anything out of this trip. Saturday’s second, and final, Test is at Auckland’s Eden Park where the All Blacks have not lost since 1994.
And it is likely they will have to go to the Kiwi’s biggest fortress without veteran prop Joe Marler who went off early with a foot injury and is a doubt for that clash.
But George, one of England’s standout players alongside locks Maro Itoje and George Martin, warned his side now is not the time to go off tour as they can rewrite history next weekend.
Hooker George said: “What an exciting opportunity we’ve got this week; the last week of the season for us. Going to Eden Park, we know the record they have there but there’s a lot we can take from the game and make sure that we are a better team going into next week. Let’s make the right choices this evening, let’s make the right choices recovery-wise, to make sure we put our best foot forward for getting stuff right next week leading into the Test.
“We came here to win and achieve something that no English team has done for 21 years. We really put our hand up at times and had control of the game for long periods but it was always going to be a one-score game. For a young side like us, there’s a huge amount we can take from that and we’ll be better for it next week.”
Marler’s early exit meant his Harlequins’ protégé Fin Baxter was thrown in the lions’ den about 40 minutes before he thought he would be.
Baxter’s debut contained one big carry but he got a proper taste of international rugby against a grizzled New Zealand front row and England are crossing fingers Marler’s injury is not too serious.
But boss Borthwick said: “A man as tough as Joe leaving the field, is not just for a small injury – it’s not just for a bruise. We don’t know the full extent of it but clearly it doesn’t look good for next week.
“Fin was thrown in at the deep end and he did tremendously well. I think maybe Joe set it up so that Fin came on at 20 minutes and did the longer stint! He did tremendously well.”
England had a perfect preparation and Borthwick must know this is one that got away. They have been together since June 10, had a tune-up against Japan two weeks ago and still came up short against a side who gathered just 10 days ago.
The head coach added: “The exciting thing is that we have played against a New Zealand squad who had 200 more caps than our squad and whose average age was two years older than our average age – I don’t want there to be a ceiling for this team.”
Marcus Smith missed eight points from the tee but his attacking game was on point although those kicks would have hauled England over the line.
“You could sense from all the players a feeling of disappointment, because we set out to win,” said Borthwick. “There was a feeling of pride in the effort, but also frustration – Marcus was the same as all the players like that. We can talk about mistakes, but everyone makes mistakes. Marcus also produced some magic.”
New Zealand fly-half Damian McKenzie handed England a lifeline late on when he was timed out taking a penalty that would have put his side four points clear. Incredibly there was no shot clock in the Forsyth Barr Stadium but England could not eke out another score.
McKenzie said: “It’s on my shoulders, I’ve got to sort out my process and speed things up knowing once the penalty is blown I’ve got 60 seconds.”
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