The All Blacks’ disappointing draw with England on Sunday morning (NZT) has not gone down well with New Zealand rugby fans on Twitter.
Rugby fans have ben left both confused and outraged after the All Blacks surrendered their commanding 25-6 lead inside the final 10 minutes.
After an up and down international season, which included historic losses to Ireland and Argentina, the men in black had one more Test to play in 2022 – and it promised to be a belter.
For a team with genuine World Cup ambitions, this morning’s Test against England at Twickenham was always going to be a crucial marker after a year of development and reflection.
As the two teams starred each other down before the blockbuster, the England crowd met the challenge of the New Zealand haka with a chorus of “Swing Low.”
But both the crowd and players were soon left in shock as the All Blacks raced out to an emphatic 14-nil lead after tries to Dalton Papali’i and Codie Taylor in the first 10 minutes.
It was a lead that they never really looked like giving up, until they did.
Three tries in the final 10 minutes saw England level the scores after trailing by 19-points, but Marcus Smith later settled for the draw as he kicked the ball out of play.
Many All Blacks supporters on Twitter have expressed their frustration over the result which they believe “summed up our season” after a “terrible year.”
Talk about a car crash finish from the all Blacks. Fell to pieces
— Kenneth Watson (@Kenneth38930663) November 19, 2022
summed up our season 🙄🙄
— Kiwi Kid (@nzbushwhacker) November 19, 2022
Choked so hard
— Official Steve Furry Kumara 🔮?? (@FurryKumara) November 19, 2022
2022 summed up perfectly in the final 10
— Luke Dalgety 🇳🇿 (@Dalgety_13) November 19, 2022
The All Blacks defence in that last 10 minutes… pic.twitter.com/7orIznTVog
— Scott (@misjifNZ) November 19, 2022
Have to say I agree. It’s been a terrible year of AB rugby. Not looking forward to the RWC.
— Pukeko (@Pukeko16413699) November 19, 2022
Wow what a ridiculous collapse
— Yer auld Da’ (@steve2theizzO) November 19, 2022
How did we cough that Game up, from being 20 odd points ahead. With barely 15 minutes left.
Just goes to show … We can put a Decent First 15 out. But unlike the old days, the bench can’t back it up.
This feels like a Defeat.
— Sully (@Sulsters_inc) November 19, 2022
Foster out
— Harrison 🇳🇿 (@Lindelof2ii) November 19, 2022
Just absolutely terrible rugby in that last quarter, dammit 🤬🤬🤬
— Adrian Solomons (@adriansolomons) November 19, 2022
How useless to lose the game in the last 5 minutes …Extremely poor and disappointing 😡 pathetic
— Lawrence (@Lawrenc67966012) November 19, 2022
The AB’s shamed Aotearoa today. A darkness pervades the mood of NZ rugby fans.
— framah (@framah8) November 19, 2022
The All Blacks were winning by seven-points with about two-minutes to play when halfback TJ Perenara kicked the ball to England winger Jonny May.
New Zealand were down to 14-players at that stage after a yellow card to Beauden Barrett, and the hosts ultimately made that possession count.
While Perenara was widely praised for his return to the Test arena last weekend against Scotland, a fan has labelled him “the new Stephen Donald” after the draw.
Is TJ the new Steven Donald- think so.
— relda (@rossadler_) November 19, 2022
I don’t understand why Perenara chose a box kick & giving away possession with 2 minutes left in the game. 🤦♀️🤬
— Tracey Simpson (@TraceyS62000226) November 19, 2022
AB’s you clutched a draw out of the jaws of victory. TJ I’m a fan of your a but seriously. In the final stages of the match England had clawed back momentum, you had a man in the bin and with 2 minutes to go you kick the ball away. What were you thinking?
— Pukeko (@Pukeko16413699) November 19, 2022
Why did TJ kick the ball away and badly. Why is Jordie not taking the kicks for touch. Simple things.
— Dwayne Tate (@DJAY90363338) November 19, 2022
Perenara..🤷♂️ smh*
— daryljneal (@daryljneal) November 19, 2022
Don’t understand why penenara kick them the ball in last two minutes 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️
— lopeti toia (@Lopetisemiesoni) November 19, 2022
While the All Blacks didn’t win their final Test match of the year, they remained unbeaten and that’s a positive – that’s seven matches in a row without a loss.
International rugby isn’t what it used to be, it’s so much more competitive and that’s a great thing for the sport.
The rugby world will come together in France in less than a year for what promises to be the biggest and best World Cup yet.
New Zealand have come a long way in 2022 and while there’s still some work to do, the All Blacks appear to be building nicely towards the sport’s ultimate event.
