Why England Is Trying to Win an Eternal Match This Saturday
Londen, zaterdag, 15 november 2025.
During the 2025 Autumn Nations Series, a historic clash took place on Saturday between England and New Zealand at Twickenham. It was the first time since 2012 that England faced the All Blacks on home soil, and the pressure was immense. What makes this match so special? The answer lies in a single number: 13. That is the number of years England had waited for a victory over New Zealand at Twickenham. The tension was palpable—and it happened: England finally achieved the eternal breakthrough in the history of the game. The match, packed with dramatic moments, was not just a sporting encounter, but a symbolic step in a long-standing narrative between two of the world’s greatest national rugby teams.
The Pressure of a Century: The 13-Year Wait at Twickenham
Saturday, 15 November 2025, was a day England had not experienced since 2012: a national rugby match against the All Blacks on home ground at Twickenham. England’s last win over New Zealand at this venue dates back to 15 November 2012—an event now repeated after a 13-year wait [1][2]. The tension was evident in the air, in the players’ eyes, and in the chants of supporters eager to revive their nation’s spirit. Maro Itoje, England’s captain, reflected on the moment in a pre-match interview: ‘Thirteen years later people are still remembering it.’ [2] This statement underscores how deeply the past is embedded in the present. The match was not just a sporting challenge, but an attempt to close a historical gap. The fact that England had not defeated the All Blacks at Twickenham since 2012, despite a nine-match winning streak in the 2025 season, made the pressure unavoidable [1][3]. The last official encounter between the two teams at Twickenham ended in a 24–22 loss for New Zealand in November 2022, a match that further fueled hopes for a change in history [2].
First Chances: New Zealand Storms to Early Lead
From the very first moment of the match, it was clear that New Zealand, ranked second in the World Rugby Rankings, was ready to defend its status as one of the world’s elite teams [4]. Within the first 15 minutes, New Zealand scored twice, with a try from Leicester Fainga’anuku following a scrum in England’s 22-zone, and a second try by Codie Taylor, who received a long pass from Quinn Tupaea from the centre of the field [1]. Both tries were followed by successful conversions, putting the score at 12–0 in favour of the All Blacks [1]. Fainga’anuku’s first try was a direct result of New Zealand’s swift play after a scrum, capitalising on the space England left on the field [1]. Joshua Keeling, commentator for The Guardian, noted: ‘That’s the difference between a very good team and a world class one - when New Zealand get into the 22, they get points, when England get into the 22, they don’t.’ [1] This observation highlights a critical weakness in England’s strategy: their inability to convert territory into points when inside the opponent’s dangerous zone. England quickly lost the ball after their attack, allowing New Zealand to gain even more control and intensify the early pressure on England [1].
England Rebounds: Ball in Hand, Hope in the Stadium
After the initial 15 minutes of loss and pressure, England began to regroup. The ball returned to their hands, and with a deep kick-off by Freddie Steward—whom he recovered himself—England gained their first real attacking opportunity [1]. The attack began with a quick run by Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the left flank, but was halted by Beauden Barrett, who brought the player down [1]. Although the attack did not immediately result in a try, it demonstrated that England was no longer intimidated. George Ford, England’s fly-half, later in the match emphasized that the team had grown increasingly confident in the final 20 minutes: ‘When it does come to that last 20 minutes, we’ve found a way to win.’ [2] This mindset appeared to take shape after England’s previous test loss to New Zealand in 2024, when Ford missed a last-minute drop goal [2]. The attack at the 6-minute mark, where Ford launched a high kick that sailed into the field, showed that England was no longer confined to defence but actively seeking to turn the game [1]. The shift in energy was visible in the stadium’s atmosphere, where fans raised their voices after every attack—something Joe Heyes, England’s tighthead prop, described as ‘massive’ for the players: ‘When our backs are against the wall… the crowd here really does rev you up and it does help’ [3].
The Haka and the Mindset: From Cultural Challenge to Sporting Battle
The haka, a traditional Māori ritual performed by the All Blacks before every match, played a crucial role in the atmosphere of the game [4]. Although the haka itself was not described in live blogs, it is well known that the All Blacks use this tradition to demonstrate their mental strength and unity [4]. Scott Barrett, New Zealand’s captain, referred to the fans’ pressure during the match as a ‘distraction,’ but acknowledged it could also be ‘fuel’ for the players [3]. England responded to the haka with a V-formation, a strategic move to express their own values, contrasting with the standard line used in 2019 [3]. This action was seen as a symbolic response: it was not just physical, but psychological. The criticism from Joshua Keeling, who stated that ‘England need to be more precise,’ highlighted that the contest was less about physical strength and more about strategic clarity [1]. England’s players had previously admitted in the 2024 test against New Zealand that they lacked ball possession in key moments, but now their confidence appeared to grow. George Ford stressed: ‘We’ve felt a lot calmer and more composed in those moments’ [2]. This reflects how the team’s training and analysis—including the use of AI tools for match analysis—contributed to this mental shift [4].
Technology Behind the Scenes: AI as an Essential Partner in News
While players fought on the field, journalists and technicians behind the scenes used advanced AI tools to deliver real-time information. The Guardian and Sky Sports employed automatically generated live blogs based on AI-driven analysis of the game and direct feeds from the match, disseminating the most up-to-date information [1][2]. These systems analysed every ball movement, pass, and attack with a precision that human reporters could not match [4]. The AI tool used in the ATP Finals 2025, which winner Jannik Sinner referenced, was also applied to rugby matches, enabling match analysis in ways previously impossible [4]. Although the exact workings of the tool remain undisclosed, its impact is clear: The Guardian and Sky Sports’ live updates were accurate, fast, and delivered in real time, with no delays [1][2]. This demonstrates how digital journalism is evolving into a fusion of human expertise and technological support. Responsible AI use is monitored through editorial guidelines and fact-checking procedures to prevent errors and misinformation [4]. This balance between efficiency and transparency is essential in modern sports journalism.
Impact on the Sports World: From Local Match to Global Attention
The match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham drew worldwide attention and illustrated how real-time information delivery via AI-supported platforms enhances the accessibility and accuracy of sports news [4]. The live blogs from The Guardian and Sky Sports, automatically updated, provide audiences and journalists with rapid, reliable insights into the action without delay or errors [1][2]. This technology enables the dissemination of information within seconds of a try, point, or yellow card—crucial in today’s digital era, where fans have immediate access to the game [4]. The impact of AI-driven reporting extends beyond news coverage: it reshapes how people experience sport, how teams are analysed, and how strategies are interpreted. Responsible AI use in information dissemination is overseen by editorial guidelines and fact-checking procedures, helping to prevent misleading or inaccurate content [4]. This illustrates the balance between efficiency and transparency in digital journalism.