All Blacks singing in the Twickers rain
New Zealand produced their traditional second-half rally to beat a willing England 24-21 at a wet Twickenham in their one-off Test on Saturday.
Despite some shocking goal-kicking and a determined first-half that saw England lead 14-11 at the break, the All Blacks put the squeeze on to score 13 unanswered points.
Despite a late rally by England, which resulted in a 79th-minute penalty try, the Kiwis managed to hold on for a deserved win.
In the first half England's discipline kept them on the front foot against a New Zealand team always willing to push the envelope.
After the break the Kiwis cleaned up their act and won the arm wrestle, despite being down a man for 10 minutes – when hooker Dane Coles stupidly kicked at an opponent when being held back at a ruck.
England got off to the perfect start – a sublime inside-outside try when Jonny May left Israel Dagg for dead.
Aaron Cruden was awarded a dubious penalty, although the execution was worthy of some reward, before two Owe Farrell penalties gave England the lead again.
Cruden levelled the scores once more, before Farrell gave England a crucial 14-11 lead at half-time.
Five minutes into the second half, with Richie McCaw finishing off the move, the All Blacks again showed their ability to score in the crucial periods of the game. Even though Cruden's conversion attempt was a shocker – of primary school proportions – the Kiwis had taken the lead.
The game was turned on its head when Dane Coles was yellow carded in the 58th minute for kicking an opponent – after being held back by Dylan Hartley at a ruck.
However, England failed to make their numerical advantage count and a Beauden Barrett penalty in the 66th minute meant the All Blacks won the sin-bin period 3-0 – giving the Kiwis a five-point (19-14) lead at a crucial stage in the game.
With under 10 minutes left Charlie Faumuina barged over from less than a metre out, as the Kiwis put the squeeze on. The conversion was another shocker, but at 24-14 it looked like New Zealand had it wrapped up.
England launched a late charge and a series of penalties saw referee Nigel Owens lose patience with the All Blacks – awarding a penalty try, Despite Farrell quickly-taken drop-goal conversion, England failed to get back in scoring region again.
A knock-on by captain Chris Robshaw brought the game to and end.
Man of the match: Dave Attwood was, by dome distance, England's best player, although Chris Robshaw and Tom Wood also made valuable contributions. You seldom have to look further than Richie McCaw and Kieran Read, but All Black flank Jerome Kaino gets out award for the unassuming way in which he imposed himself on the game
Moment of the match: In terms of the game Charlie Faumuina's try in the 72nd minute was crucial, but we are giving it to the Jonny May try in the fourth minute – simply for the execution, with the English wing going inside and outside to leave Israel Dagg for dead.
Villain of the match: This is an easy one. Dane Coles for his stupid decision to react to the Dylan Hartley provocation and kicking an opponent. It earned him a yellow card.
The scorers:
For England:
Tries: May, Penalty try
Con: Farrell
Pens: Farrell 3
For New Zealand:
Tries: Cruden, McCaw, Faumuina
Pens: Cruden 2, Barrett
Yellow card: Dane Coles (New Zealand, 58 – foul play, kicking an opponent)
Teams:
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Brad Barritt, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Jonny May, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Danny Care, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 David Wilson, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Kieran Brookes, 19 George Kruis, 20 Ben Morgan, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 George Ford, 23 Anthony Watson.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Liam Messam, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Ryan Crotty.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Dudley Phillips (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
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