Few fixtures in world rugby carry the history and intensity of All Blacks vs England — a meeting of the Southern Hemisphere’s most successful nation and the Northern Hemisphere’s oldest rugby power. Since their first Test in 1905, the two sides have produced some of the sport’s defining moments, from one-sided early tours to the 2019 World Cup shock and England’s dramatic 2025 win at Twickenham.
This guide explains the rivalry in plain terms: the all-time head-to-head record, how each team plays, the systems that develop their players, and what to look for the next time New Zealand and England meet. Whether you follow every Test or are new to the game, you will leave knowing why this matchup matters.
Key Facts
- Fixture: New Zealand (All Blacks) vs England, men’s rugby union
- First Test: 1905, Crystal Palace, London (New Zealand won 15–0)
- Tests played: 47 (as of November 2025)
- Record: All Blacks 36 wins · England 9 wins · 2 draws
- Trophy contested: Hillary Shield
- Latest result: England 33–19 New Zealand (15 November 2025, Twickenham)
- Pre-match ritual: the All Blacks perform the haka
A Rivalry of Two Rugby Cultures
The All Blacks — New Zealand’s national men’s team — are steeped in Māori tradition and world-famous for the haka, the pre-match challenge performed before every Test. On the field they are known for a fast, skilful game built on offloading (passing in the tackle), width and relentless support play.
England bring a contrasting identity rooted in physicality, the set piece and tactical kicking. A “set piece” is the restart of play through scrums and lineouts, and it is where England traditionally look to dominate and build pressure.
That clash of philosophies is what makes the rivalry compelling — it is not only about who wins, but how the two styles cancel each other out. If you are still learning the basics, our guide on how to play rugby breaks down the rules and phases so each passage of play makes sense.
Head-to-Head Record: All Blacks vs England
New Zealand and England first met at Crystal Palace in London in 1905, when the touring “Originals” won 15–0. In the century since, the All Blacks have dominated the series, though England have produced several of its most famous results.
The all-time numbers
After the November 2025 Test, the men’s head-to-head record stands as follows:
- Total Tests played: 47
- All Blacks wins: 36
- England wins: 9
- Draws: 2
The two nations also compete for the Hillary Shield, a trophy named after New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary and first awarded in 2008, contested whenever they meet in the Northern Hemisphere autumn.
Recent meetings (2024–2025)
The last two years have swung both ways:
- 6 July 2024, Dunedin: New Zealand 16–15 England
- 13 July 2024, Auckland: New Zealand 24–17 England
- 2 November 2024, Twickenham: New Zealand 24–22 England
- 15 November 2025, Twickenham: England 33–19 New Zealand
The 2025 result was a landmark: England’s first home win over the All Blacks in 13 years, ending New Zealand’s hopes of a Grand Slam over the Home Nations. It followed the most famous English victory of the modern era — the 19–7 win in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semifinal, built on suffocating defence and breakdown pressure. For how this fixture fits into the sport’s wider story, see our overview of the evolution of rugby union from past to present.
How the Two Teams Play
Understanding the rivalry means understanding the two game plans. The table below compares the sides across the areas that usually decide a Test.
Team Comparison
| Aspect | All Blacks (New Zealand) | England |
|---|---|---|
| Playing style | Fast, offloading, wide attack | Structured, kicking and territory |
| Forward strength | Dynamic loose forwards, mobile lineout | Powerful scrum and driving maul |
| Key figures (2025–26) | Beauden Barrett, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan | Maro Itoje, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence |
| Domestic competition | Super Rugby Pacific | Gallagher Premiership |
| Head coach (2026) | Dave Rennie | Steve Borthwick |
| Home fortress | Eden Park, Auckland | Twickenham (Allianz Stadium), London |
| Signature ritual | The haka | — |
All Blacks’ strengths
- Playmakers such as Beauden Barrett, who bring pace and unpredictability from fly-half or fullback.
- Dynamic loose forwards and a mobile lineout — for years anchored by the recently retired Sam Whitelock, New Zealand’s most-capped All Black, and flanker Sam Cane.
- A deep attacking culture that turns turnovers and broken play into tries faster than most opponents can reset.
England’s edge
- A heavyweight forward pack that targets the scrum and the driving maul to win penalties and territory.
- Precise goal-kicking and tactical kicking from fly-halves such as George Ford and Marcus Smith, used to pin opponents deep.
- Strength in depth from the professional Gallagher Premiership, giving selectors options across the squad.
To see how each jersey number maps to a job on the field, our explainer on rugby positions is a useful companion.
The Systems That Develop Each Side
The two teams are shaped by very different domestic competitions. New Zealand’s players are forged in Super Rugby Pacific, an 11-team cross-border league known for a fast, attacking brand of rugby. Franchises such as the Crusaders, Chiefs and Hurricanes are the traditional feeder sides for the All Blacks.
England’s players come almost entirely from the Gallagher Premiership, a physical, closely contested club league. The difference in tempo and structure between the two competitions is one reason the national teams play such contrasting rugby when they finally meet.
Coaches, Captains and Current Form
Coaching has shifted on the New Zealand side. Scott Robertson led the All Blacks through 2024 and 2025 before departing early in 2026; Dave Rennie was then appointed head coach through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with Ardie Savea as captain. England remain under Steve Borthwick, who guided them to that 2025 Twickenham win with Maro Itoje leading the pack.
Form matters as much as history. England carried a long unbeaten run into the 2025 meeting, while New Zealand’s aura at home — unbeaten at Auckland’s Eden Park in Tests since 1994 — remains one of the sport’s most daunting records.
Matchday Factors: Venues, Surfaces and Weather
The venue quietly shapes how these Tests unfold:
- In New Zealand, firmer pitches and (in season) drier conditions tend to reward fast, open attacking play.
- In England, and especially a cold, damp Twickenham, conditions often favour tactical kicking and forward-oriented rugby.
Pitch dimensions matter too: knowing how long a rugby field is helps explain kicking choices and the space defences have to cover in a tight Test.
What to Watch in the Next All Blacks vs England Test
When the sides next meet, analysts will focus on a few key questions:
- The breakdown battle — whether England’s jackalers (players who compete for the ball after a tackle) can slow New Zealand’s quick ball.
- Game plan — will the All Blacks back their width, or match England’s kicking game and territory play?
- Selection and form — injuries, and which players arrive on the back of strong domestic seasons.
Fixtures between these two now rank among the most anticipated in the international calendar, often generating an atmosphere to rival even Rugby World Cup knockout matches.
Why the Rivalry Matters
When the All Blacks face England, more is at stake than one result. The fixture is a measuring stick between hemispheres, a test of two rugby cultures, and — for millions of fans — an emotional occasion that can define a season.
It captures what supporters love about the sport: tradition, physical contest, tactical nuance and moments of individual brilliance. For anyone wanting to understand rugby at its highest level, there are few better matchups to watch.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the all-time record between the All Blacks and England?
After their November 2025 meeting, New Zealand and England have played 47 men’s Test matches. The All Blacks have won 36, England have won 9, and 2 have been drawn — a clear historical lead for New Zealand.
When did England last beat the All Blacks?
England beat New Zealand 33–19 at Twickenham on 15 November 2025. It was their first home win over the All Blacks in 13 years and only their second victory in the fixture since the 2019 Rugby World Cup semifinal.
What trophy do England and New Zealand play for?
When they meet in the Northern Hemisphere, the teams contest the Hillary Shield, named after New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary and first awarded in 2008.
Who coaches the All Blacks and England?
As of 2026 the All Blacks are coached by Dave Rennie, appointed through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup after Scott Robertson’s departure, with Ardie Savea as captain. England are coached by Steve Borthwick.
Where can I follow All Blacks vs England fixtures?
You can keep up with previews, results and player profiles through dedicated rugby coverage, including the guides and team pages here on RugbyUnion.nz. The sides usually meet during New Zealand’s mid-year tours and the Northern Hemisphere’s autumn internationals.
