England have not led at half-time in any of their Global WXV Series games.
Given their season only began two weeks ago against Australia, Mitchell has been quick to defend his side’s rustiness.
Individual magic from Kildunne, who spotted a gap on the wing for her try, and a yellow card for a high shot by Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, presented Mitchell with an opportunity to empty his bench with momentum behind his side.
Breach’s simple finish came in the next play as any fears of a first loss in four years began to dissolve.
But the Black Ferns refused to go away and continued to trouble England’s defence, which is now being influenced by coaching consultant Shaun Edwards.
Mitchell’s side were criticised for turning down a kickable penalty late in the game against Canada.
The opportunity again presented itself, and Harrison took it on from distance, but the ball came up well short.
Canada opted to kick the ball out and accept the draw last week, which is not in the DNA of New Zealand, and they attacked from distance in an attempt to inflict England’s first loss on home soil since 2016.
That proved to be the wrong decision, as a pass was picked off deep inside the visitors’ 22, and instead the Red Roses won their 14th straight game at Allianz Stadium.
England: Kildunne; Breach, Jones (capt), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Harrison, L Packer; Carson, Field, Bern, Talling, Ives Campion, Matthews, Kabeya, Feaunati
Replacements: Campbell, Botterman, Muir, Burton, Packer, Hunt, Heard, Sing
New Zealand: Sorensen-McGee; Paul, Brunt, Du Plessis, Leti-I’iga; H King, Joseph; Viliko, Ponsonby, Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Roos, Bayfield, Mikaele-Tu’u, E-P King, Olsen-Baker
Replacements: Lolohea, Robinson, Taumata, Vaipulu, Sae, Turner, McGregor, Saili
