England v New Zealand 1997 (2nd test at Twickenham)

England 26 New Zealand 26 - match played at Twickenham 6 December 1997

[@stevenrouse729]

What an epic match from back when games were played with real passion and grit! My wife and I were on the edges of our seats during the second half and this may be our new favorite game. Thank you so much for uploading it.

[@jimfleming5243]

I refereed it and even I enjoyed it. Two great teams

[@ldfreitas9437]

Wow, the real Jim Fleming! I'm a referee in the Northern California society. You were a great referee. Liked how you sorted out that first bru-ha-ha early in the match. Do you still referee, like women's matches? That's what I do since I'm now 68, for the most part. I can keep up with them. Don't know how much longer I will do it, but it was a great way to keep in the game after I stopped playing, and a great way to stay in shape.

[@randomcomputer7248]

Good job Jim

[@joelcamp5445]

Jim, did non of the officials see Josh Kronfeld, knee David Rees in the face, as he was scoring? It was the cheapest of cheap shots that broke bones in Daid Rees's face. No one ever seems to mention this dirty bit of play.

[@harryf1ashman]

@@joelcamp5445 interesting. An outspoken John Hart was very critical of Martin Johnson for punching Justin Marshall in the first test and Johnson got a ban. I assume he was equally of critical of Josh Kronfeld if what you say is true?

[@joelcamp5445]

@@harryf1ashman thx for the reply, take a look at the action replay from behind the dead ball area, in the process of touching the ball down, Kronfeld knees him in the face then David Rees can barely stand, let alone celebrate the try, then has to leave the pitch, with the blood flowing. I don’t think the commentators even pass comment, about the incident. David Rees lost two teeth, there’s a quote about the incident in the Guardian he gave.

[@mrabnc]

Thank you so much for this upload. Not only was it an historic match which I believe marked England's transformation under Woodward but I also got to see my 13 year old self pitch invading and congratulating the players at the end! Thank you so much!

[@billywhizz5021]

Lomu, Cullen and Wilson, probably the best back three ever.

[@johncourtneidge]

Certainly the most forceful.

[@25pappy]

Thank you so much for the upload. That was one of the most amazing games I've ever seen.

[@Gg-zd8xz]

This was the only time between 1995 & 1999 than any of the four home nations avoided defeat to one of the three big Southern Hemisphere teams

[@JustinB_Oz]

Thanks for the upload. Loved the era of free flow not endless stoppages, penalties TMO and cards.

[@DH1985-MB]

what a game - thanks for uploading this Ken. Both sides proper wanting to play. Hill and Dallaglio were immense this day!

[@nathanwilliams2152]

Both sides had great players but weren’t quite the finished article. We didn’t have a settled fly half or full back, but that forward pack was becoming really solid. For NZ, Cullen was quite new, Bunce and Z Brooke were coming to the end of their careers, Michael Jones didn’t play, and half-back could be a fragile area. That said, Ian Jones, Randell, Wilson, and Lomu made for an amazing side.

[@oldblack15]

My condolences to friends, family and fans of norm Hewitt. Passed surrounded by family with a motor neuron disease/disorder at only 55. Will always be remembered for leading the haka facing towards cockerill. God bless.

[@JustinB_Oz]

Oh didn't know that. Vale.

[@JoshuaMSP1995]

Probably the best game of rugby I've ever seen. Unbelievable intensity from both sides, beautiful willingness to attack from both, raucous atmosphere and a close finish. Added to that rugby was a lot better as a sport in 1997 than it is today - quicker scrums, no TMO to interfere and a referee happy to let things go. Imagine if David Rees' try had been scored today, you'd have 3-5 minutes of slow-motion replays trying to rule it out!

[@ldfreitas9437]

Cant agree with you more! You can see he got in, so no argument.

[@cringycook9597]

Oh there's definitely been better but it was enjoyable

[@robicenco1]

Famous game - if only we'd won it. This was the first autumn when Australia, New Zealand and South Africa had all toured Europe, and the modern autumn internationals tradition (as opposed to isolated SANZA tours) starts here really.

[@antology7]

Good to see Spencer and Mehrtens both on the field in the last quarter. I never thought I’d see Spencer at second-five.

[@tonkerdog1]

The gestation of a future World Cup winning side. I got massively passed watching this.

[@annefilippobertozzi7601]

What a fantastic match, thanks!

[@harleygaz]

what a game, still one of the best england peformances i,ve seen

[@bomberT1]

Zinzans last game. Such a great player.

[@Go_for_it652]

One day what your watching is the golden age of rugby . To remain in the golden age unions must practice fair play .

[@MrSuperdave75]

Kronfeld with a late one on David Rees

[@johncourtneidge]

Superb England against NZ coming on from 11 wins out of 11. The first half proves that positive rugby beats machine rugby. Should it have been a Penalty try for holding on after the hack on?

[@ldfreitas9437]

This was a great game of rugby, and there was only one problem with it: Bill McClaren didn't announce it.

[@KmT81]

I liked this last England Shirt of the 90s. I should have bought it at the period when I had money in summer 98. This 1997/99 and 1999/2003 Rugby Shirts were Classics. One couldn't hear the Haka . Great Match ,a draw,what a Battle on this Pitch Plz can you have England v Fidji 1999 WC ?

[@cringycook9597]

It's great when the shackles come off from both side's

[@bertplank8011]

If the authorities don't do something to fix the modern game and return to matches like this then RU is going to lose ground.

[@CrudupZopf-ns4dr]

1:11:53 The Bull Roar

[@googleuser1380]

Why was Walter Little replaced he was the danger man in the All Black's backline!!!

[@jennylast3149]

First class rugby , now lnow why certsin peoplse become famous top class from both sides.

[@isthatthebestyougot4845]

England should have won that

[@billywhizz5021]

Would have been a rare event, England have an awful record against NZ.

[@garrywild6298]

Jerseys only came in one size back then