A thrilling clash,
described by victorious New Zealand captain Richie McCaw as “a hell of a Test
match”, underlined the All Blacks’ class but England also emerged with immense
credit having pushed the world’s best side all the way. But what decided the
contest?
Red
zone return
New Zealand’s ability
to execute under pressure has long stood them apart from the rest of the world
and that ruthless streak was evident again in this nail-biter. Match stats
reveal that both sides made eight trips into the opposition 22 and while New
Zealand came away with points on four occasions, England only did so once. The
home side’s relatively low return is thanks largely to their bullish tactics in
the first half as they chased the game and a crucial call from captain Chris
Robshaw did eventually lead to a try and spark a tremendous and gutsy comeback
that almost won them the game. But no side going against the All Blacks can
afford to be so wasteful when handed such precious field position especially
when your pack has worked so hard to earn it. England have a set of forwards at
their disposal with the ability to strike fear into any of their rivals but
they still do not have the game-breaking back division to compliment them or
capitalise on any dominance up front.
The
world’s best player?
New Zealand fly-half
and reigning International Rugby Board Player of the Year Dan Carter rightly
took centre stage ahead of the clash at Twickenham on the occasion of his 100th
Test match appearance but it was the front runner for this year’s honour that
dominated the game itself. All Blacks No.8 Kieran Read delivered yet another
outstanding all-action display to propel his side to victory and bolster his
claims to the title of the world’s best player. As impressive his match stats –
a try, 45m with ball in hand, 11 tackles – they do not do him justice and not
even a first half yellow card could tarnish his game. He has a priceless
ability to read the game and this, along with his incredible work rate and
skill, ensures he is a near-constant presence. His influence makes him a target
for the opposition and he attracted the attention of England’s Chris Ashton,
Billy Vunipola and Lee Dickson in the lead up to the opening try of the game
but they were left dumbfounded, like the capacity crowd, as the Kiwi slipped a
delightful scoring pass to winger Julian Savea. Read is just as devastating in
defence with Tom Wood, Dan Cole and Courtney Lawes seen to almost bounce off
their rival at just one of many bruising breakdown battles. Is there a better
player in the game right now?
Hartley
the beating heart?
Dan Carter was not the
only player celebrating a career milestone with England hooker Dylan Hartley
given the honour of leading the side out on his 50th international appearance.
He celebrated with another rugged and tone-setting display and was at the heart
of England’s comeback after they had gifted New Zealand a substantial lead. A
typically brutal tackle on All Blacks flanker Richie McCaw brought a premature
end to Hartley’s game and England appeared to lose their way in his absence. An
otherwise formidable lineout began to creak with replacement hooker Tom Youngs
failing to find his man on three occasions and the momentum that the ferocious
England pack had worked so hard to generate began to dissipate. England’s bench
has provided fresh impetus in recent weeks but in this instance it had the
wrong kind of impact. England had the lead and the match within their grasp but
their failure to maintain that effort offered New Zealand hope and they pounced
with a game-clinching second score for Julian Savea.
Riders
on the storm
Twelve months ago New
Zealand were swept aside – or ‘donkey-licked’ as coach Steve Hansen recalled –
by a rampant England side spearheaded by a warrior-like Tom Wood and a wrecking
ball centre pairing of Brad Barritt and Manu Tuilagi that was sorely missing
from this latest clash. The All Blacks had little answer to the onslaught and
while this game was apparently not about revenge – at least publicly – there
was a clear determination on the part of the visitors to ensure lightning did
not strike twice. A relatively inexperienced England side, that clearly and
with good cause does not fear the All Blacks, threw everything they had at New
Zealand and that effort, bolstered by a vociferous Twickenham crowd that so
often is not a factor, rocked their rivals – but no more. This All Blacks side
is not just physically strong but also mentally strong having carved their way
through the international calendar for the last few years. They push the game
and the Laws to the limit to preserve their status and while England were good,
they were just not good enough.
Keep
them guessing
While an injury-ravaged England struggled to
conjure opportunities with yet another scrappy score their only try of this
contest, New Zealand continue to ooze class and creativity. The stage was set
for All Blacks playmaker Dan Carter to steal the show and he certainly left his
mark with one pin-point cross-kick to winger Charles Piutau and another
delicate chip over the England defence that was gobbled up by centre Ben Smith
– but injury brought a premature end to his game. However, the All Blacks are
blessed with many players who can turn a game with one being veteran centre
Ma’a Nonu. Behind but not beaten, the visitors sensed the game was still there
to be won and hammered a tiring England midway through the second half. They
stretched them one way and then the other, peppering the defence with a
hypnotic blend of power, pace and guile. Piutau went close in one corner –
denied by an excellent tackle from Mike Brown – but the All Blacks did not
dwell on the setback with the ball immediately worked wide again with Nonu’s
eventual sublime offload to winger Julian Savea for the All Blacks’ second try
the decisive moment of the game. While New Zealand appear to have such talent
on tap, England’s well appears dry.
