Business as usual for ABs
England are still searching for their first win over New Zealand since 2003 after a 26-16 defeat at Twickenham.
By Ben Sullivan
Last Updated: 07/11/10 7:26am
England are still searching for their first win over New Zealand since 2003 after a 26-16 defeat at Twickenham.
There were plenty of positives for Martin Johnson's side, with the exception of a familiar-looking scoreboard, but they lacked the precision and clinical finishing of the World Cup favourites.
Two tries in the opening quarter from the All Blacks ultimately proved decisive as New Zealand bounced back from last weekend's defeat to Australia in Hong Kong.
That result ended the world number one side's 15-match winning streak and England hoped they would prove vulnerable to another setback at Twickenham.
But despite a brave effort from the hosts - characterised by a scrum that was almost completely dominant - the All Blacks' class with ball in hand earned them a ninth straight win over England.
England made a lively start but the first chance fell to Dan Carter on eight minutes after Steve Thompson was penalised for not rolling away, but for once the fly-half was wayward from the left touchline.
The reprieve did not last long, however, as after England were penalised for not rolling away, New Zealand claimed quick ball from their subsequent lineout, debutant Sonny Bill Williams' superb offload put Jerome Kaino in space and after taking a long, looping pass, Hosea Gear finished superbly in the corner under pressure from Chris Ashton.
This time Carter made no mistake from a similar position and New Zealand led 7-0.
The lead was doubled within two minutes after a silky-smooth run by Carter through the midfield, as England's defence was once again almost fatally sucked in towards the ball-carrier.
This time they survived but conceded a five-metre scrum and from more quick ball after Gear's burst, Kieran Read drove in low and fast to score.
Toby Flood cut the deficit with a penalty but the difference between the two sides was summed up when England wasted a fine attacking position, keeping the ball in the static forwards when Flood was in try-scoring space out wide.
Punished
Carter again punished England for a ruck offence and after Flood missed a simple penalty and Tindall bombed another good scoring chance, England looked set to take a pasting.
But Ben Foden narrowly failed to touch down with the final play of the half and that near-miss set the tone for the rest of the match.
England's scrum began to completely dominate and Flood cut the gap to 17-6, only for England to infringe from the kick-off, gifting Carter another three points.
England's try arrived almost from nowhere on 53 minutes. Ashton set it up with a quick tap penalty in his own half and after a hack forward, substitute hooker Dylan Hartley crashed over from close range, the video referee overlooking a possible double movement, and Flood's conversion cut the gap to seven.
Again England conceded a penalty from the kick-off and although Flood kicked one of his own, Carter replied after a high shot from Delon Armitage.
With nine minutes left Kaino was yellow-carded for killing the ball yet again, but England could not make their pressure and man-advantage tell.
Their frustration was summed up six minutes from time when a three-on-one overlap was wasted by hesitant passing. It would have been a trot-in for the All Blacks, but after the ball took an age to head out wide, Shontayne Hape was tackled into the corner before he could touch down.
Johnson's frustration was evident on the touchline. This was progress, but his side still have to find a cutting edge if they are to be realistic World Cup contenders next year.
