England defeat New Zealand 24-12 at Allianz Stadium

England 24-12 New Zealand, Allianz Stadium

England scored four tries as they warmed up for WXV1 tournament with a 24-12 victory over New Zealand in the newly renamed Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

New Zealand looked attacking early in the game and almost crossed over through Ayesha Leti-I’iga but a tackle from Jess Breach ensured the teams remained scoreless.

England opened their account at the end of the first quarter as Marlie Packer touching down at the back of a powerful maul but Holy Aitchison missed out on the conversion making it 5-0.

The red roses doubled their tally in the 32nd minute as Tatyana Head sends a wide pass for Abby Dow to crossover in the corner and this time Aitchison was slow with the conversion as England's lead remained at 10-0.

John Mitchell's side stretched their lead to 17-0 as they set a driving line out with eventually Ellie Kildunne going over the line for their third try which was awarded after a TMO consultation but this time Aitchison got the conversion right.

The home side lost a player to yellow card at the end of the opening half with Zoe Aldcroft sin-binned for a dangerous tackle.

Despite the setback England continued to dominate in the second half as Alex Matthews set up Natasha Hunt over for the fourth try and Aitchison's conversion meant they scored 24 unanswered points.

New Zealand finally opened their account in the 55th minute as Leti-I’iga went past Aitchison to run down the wing and over the line but Renee Holmes missed out on the conversion to make it 24-5.

The 61st minute saw the Black Ferns secure their second try with Ruby Tui putting Vahaakolo over but this time Holmes got the conversion right to reduce the arrears to 12 points. New Zealand were desperate for a further breakthrough but England held their defence tight as they completed a 12 point victory extending their winning run to 17 matches.

Team line up:

New Zealand XV: Renee Holmes; Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt, Ruahei Demant (co-captain), Katelyn Vahaakolo; Hannah King, Maia Joseph; Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby, Tanya Kalounivale, Alana Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Kennedy Tukuafu (co-captain), Kaipo Olsen-Baker.

Reserves: Atlanta Lolohea, Kate Henwood, Amy Rule, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Layla Sae, Iritana Hohaia, Amy du Plessis, Ruby Tui.

England XV: Ellie Kildunne; Abby Dow, Emily Scarratt, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Holly Aitchison, Natasha Hunt; Mackenzie Carson, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Zoe Aldcroft, Abbie Ward, Maddie Feaunati, Marlie Packer (captain), Alex Matthews

Reserves: Amy Cokayne, Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir, Morwenna Talling, Georgia Brock, Lucy Packer, Zoe Harrison, Helena Rowland.