This was the All Blacks’ ninth Test since those first outings under Scott Robertson and, with nine starting changes since then, it’s a very different team.

After an uneven Rugby Championship campaign which delivered a disappointing 50% return and Japanese excursion on the way northThe All Blacks arrived in London for the first of three grueling matches with everything to prove.

While they remain far from the finished product after a game in which they committed 22 turnovers, a win of this magnitude in these circumstances has the potential to be the achievement of this All Blacks team.

The All Blacks led 14-12 at half-time, but this exciting contest turned immediately after half-time when Marcus Smith made an interception – latching on to Cortex Ratima’s pass to sprint and set up Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in time that England took the lead for the first time.

In another defining moment, in a significant 10-point momentum swing, Beauden Barrett had his try cleared for Caleb Clarke’s intentional knock down.

Two scrum penalties, with Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Pasilio Tosi leading the charge from the bench, helped turn the tide for the All Blacks.

Down by five points with six minutes remaining, the All Blacks had their shot on goal spurned and were rewarded with Mark Tele’a finishing the second in the corner. Damian McKenzie iced the conversion from the sideline to regain the lead, but there was more to come.

Anton Lienert-Brown’s 78th-minute yellow card for yet another off-the-ball challenge gave England the chance to steal victory – only for George Ford to hit the bar with the penalty. With Robertson standing in the coaches’ box, Patrick Tuipulotu spilled the ball to give England a scrum on the 10m line.

Ford, with the All Blacks backs, pushed his goal attempt over to deny England their quest for revenge.

With Ford crushing his shots, England’s decision to replace Smith will come under scrutiny.

With passes pushed and losing the ball in touch, the All Blacks were frustrated throughout. It was almost dead due to frequent errors.

The All Blacks were lethal when they hit forward and offloaded to find space in the wide channels, but their lack of patience and execution continued to invite England back.

In the end, though, the All Blacks showed heart and hunger to overcome a second-half lead and hang on at the death.

England’s aggressive defence, combined with contesting the breakdown to slow down possession, put pressure on the All Blacks’ first receiver and first kicker. Stifled and stifled, the All Blacks initially struggled to spark their attacking play.

Two chip shots from Beauden Barrett brought rewards, as did changing the point of attack and adjusting the depth, but tackling England’s defensive blitz proved a constant challenge.

The All Blacks’ second try, with Barrett going blind with a cut-back move for Will Jordan, exposed the English defence, the All Blacks fullback claiming his 36th try in 38 Tests.

Wallace Sititi reinforced his irrepressible form on the big stage with a man of the match. His first offload gave Telea enough space to attack English side Ellis Genge for the opening try. With more damaging carries that showcased his footwork and speed, Sititi tore England apart. If Tupou Vaa’i had intercepted Sititi’s pass, the All Blacks would have scored another.

The All Blacks were hit by more injuries after losing Codie Taylor to a header on four minutes. If there was one player the All Blacks couldn’t afford to lose, it was Taylor. In his absence, Asafo Aumua struggled and hurt defensively, but endured familiar second-half lineup throwing problems that proved costly.

Rieko Ioane left the field to tend to his bleeding hand but returned. Vaa’i also limped off immediately after the break – and Beauden Barrett also left the field for a late HIA – but Patrick Tuipulotu produced a colossal performance in a notable change from the bench in the second half.

While the All Blacks were more threatening in attack, they were also their own worst enemies at times. Eight first-half penalties, three for tackling and two at the scrum, were awarded, Smith converting four of them.

Improving their record under Robertson to 8-3, it doesn’t get any easier from here for the All Blacks, with Ireland sitting, waiting, seeking revenge for last year’s World Cup quarter-final in Dublin.

Bouncing back six days from this torrid contest will not be easy, but with a nervy win secured, the All Blacks will carry confidence into their next brutal battle.

All Blacks: Mark Tele’a 2, Will Jordan try, Beauden Barrett con 2, Damian McKenzie pen, con

England: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso try, Marcus Smith pen 4, con

HT: 12-14

Liam Napier has been a sports journalist since 2010 and his work has taken him to rugby, netball and cricket World Cups, world title boxing and the Commonwealth Games.