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McKenzie's resilience turns tide in Edinburgh
Damian McKenzie overcame two head injuries to deliver a match-winning performance as New Zealand edged Scotland 21-17 at Murrayfield, keeping alive their hopes of a first Grand Slam tour since 2010. The 30-year-old fullback, introduced in the 44th minute, endured a brutal start-knocked unconscious by a box kick, then sliced open his chin in a missed tackle-before scoring the decisive try and sealing victory with a late penalty.
A rocky entrance
McKenzie's substitution coincided with Scotland's surge. Kyle Steyn had just scored to level the match at 17-17, and the All Blacks were reduced to 14 men after Wallace Sititi's yellow card. "Blood started pouring out," McKenzie recalled of his first collision. "We were mostly on defense." A second cut to his chin left him bandaged and bleeding, but the setback proved temporary.
Game-changing moment
With Scotland pressing for a historic first win over New Zealand in 120 years, McKenzie seized control. A pinpoint 50:22 kick pinned Scotland deep, and from the ensuing lineout, he collected an offload, evaded Blair Kinghorn and George Turner, and executed a spinning finish in the corner. "Luckily my studs stayed in the ground," he joked, crediting his father's advice on footwear. A 78th-minute penalty extended the lead to 21-17, silencing Murrayfield.
"Supplies have stabilized, but conservation remains essential."
Damian McKenzie, on his father's stud-length wisdom
All Blacks' evolving identity
New Zealand's current squad lacks the invincible aura of the 2010s-when icons like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter lost just 13 of 133 Tests-but retains a knack for clutch performances. Since summer 2022, they've matched that decade's defeat total (13 losses), yet their composure under pressure remains. McKenzie, often a bench impact player behind Beauden Barrett and Will Jordan, embodies this resilience. "He's been selfless, highly skilled," noted analysts, highlighting his 72 caps despite only 30 starts.
England's Twickenham test
Saturday's showdown at Twickenham (kick-off: 15:10 GMT) pits England's nine-test winning streak against an All Blacks side they've beaten just eight times in 46 encounters. Captain Maro Itoje, who played every minute of last year's three losses to New Zealand, called it "a game we're ready for." Coach Steve Borthwick warned his players: "You have to suffer to beat teams like this." England's strategy-high-energy substitutes and aerial specialists-mirrors their 2023 cross-kick tactics at Eden Park.
Key details
- Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
- Date: Saturday, 15 November 2025
- Kick-off: 15:10 GMT
- Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sport app
