New Zealand have recovered from 15-0 down after 25 minutes to beat England 16-15 in a thunderous test at Twickenham, making it 15 wins in 16 matches between the two as their first clash for four years fully lived up to its billing.

In difficult, rainy conditions on Saturday, England raced into a big lead after a fantastic opening, kicking at every opportunity and forcing the All Blacks into errors and scoring tries through Chris Ashton after two minutes and Dylan Hartley after an unstoppable rolling maul.

The world champions hit back just before halftime with a try by impressive fullback Damian McKenzie and a Beauden Barrett penalty while his first test drop goal and another penalty hauled them into a 16-15 lead after an hour.

After a long arm wrestle, England thought they had won it with a Sam Underhill try five minutes from time only for the TMO to rule that Courtney Lawes had been offside before charging down the clearance kick that sent him through.