Ireland found more success in their phase play during the second half, and were close to leveling the game with a conversion attempt pending. However, James Lowe's try was disallowed due to an infraction at the previous ruck identified by the TMO.
Coach Andy Farrell praised his team's resilience and determination to stay competitive until the final whistle.
"After some words at half-time, I thought it was courageous the way we defended and got ourselves back into the game," Farrell remarked. "It’s in the DNA of this team and history shows it. Even with a lackluster first half, we hung in there and didn’t give up. Many teams would have crumbled under such pressure, but we stayed in the fight."
Following the disallowed try, Lowe was involved in another contentious call that went against Ireland. The officials ruled that Lowe had kept the ball in play from a Handre Pollard kick to touch before Cheslin Kolbe scored.
Farrell, who will lead the British and Irish Lions in Australia next summer, stated that his team would use the appropriate channels to express their concerns about the key refereeing decisions in the game.
England vice-captain Joe Marler will miss the second Test against New Zealand in Auckland with a foot injury.
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