England suffered a narrow 16-15 defeat to New Zealand in the first Test in Dunedin, leaving them with a tough task to level the series. The match was decided by a single point after a tense second half, with England's Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scoring a try but later slamming the team's injury management protocols as 'dumb'.
Feyi-Waboso, who scored England's second try, expressed frustration with how the team handled player fitness, suggesting that the protocols contributed to the loss. 'There's a huge amount of pride, but it's a game of very fine margins. We've got to learn fast before Auckland. There'll be a few sore bodies, but we'll make sure we get the minds right and the bodies right and go again,' he said.
The match saw several key moments, including a bizarre incident where New Zealand fly-half Damian McKenzie ran out of time on a penalty kick, nearly handing England the win. England's lineout improved in the second half, with Maro Itoje stealing possession, but costly penalties and a lack of dynamism in attack proved decisive.
England captain Jamie George acknowledged the fine margins, stating, 'We'll learn, grow and get better. We've got to learn fast before Auckland.' The second Test is scheduled for next week, with England needing a win to keep the series alive.
