England manage three tries but fall well short
Twickenham's refurbished South Stand endured a baptism of fire as New Zealand recorded a handsome 41-20 victory over England on Sunday, with Dan Carter bagging 26 points as the holders of the Rugby World Cup fell to their heaviest home defeat of all time.
The difference between the two sides was black and white, and we're not referring to the jerseys.
England look a million miles away from successfully defending their world crown; New Zealand -- who made it 21 wins from their last 23 starts -- continue to coast towards a reunion with that coveted gold pot.
The odds were always stacked against England, who have beaten New Zealand just six times in 101 years, and they were duly ushered into the flames as their guests fashioned a funeral pyre on Bonfire Night.
But England were not willing victims, they made a bright and blustery start, even getting Jamie Noon over the whitewash in the fifth minute of the game, only for the try to be disallowed by the fourth official.
The scare seemed to rouse New Zealand from their revelry and they hit back in typical fashion, counterattack from deep whenever the opportunity arose, making their hosts pay for even the slightest mistake.
New Zealand opened the scoring when Carter slotted a penalty inside three minutes, but England were left shaking their heads in disbelief when they were denied a try just two minutes later.
Slick approach work scattered New Zealand's defence and before the All Blacks could regroup, Noon went for broke, brushing off two tackles as he ploughed over, although he ignored an unmarked Danny Grewcock outside him.
With Ma'a Nonu appearing to have a hand under Noon's body and somewhere in the vicinity of the ball, the decision went to television match official Christophe Berdos. But the Frenchman was unable to ascertain whether or not the ball had been grounded and denied England the try.
In terms of England's momentum, it proved a crucial moment as New Zealand simply weathered the storm and stung their hosts through a breakaway score that emphasised a gulf in standards.
Wing Rico Gear ran aggressively into England's half, and even when he ran out of numbers, prop Tony Woodcock had enough about him to keep possession alive before quickly recycled possession saw skipper Richie McCaw send Mauger over.
Carter added the extras, and England had a mountain to climb, 13-0 adrift after 22 minutes, but it was the cue for a vibrant response.
England knew they had to throw caution to the wind, and a try arrived when debutant centre Anthony Allen's break caused enough panic in New Zealand's defence and Noon made amends for his earlier miss by touching down.
The score gave England a glimmer of hope, but New Zealand finished the half in blistering fashion, more than doubling their points tally.
Carter slotted a 50-metre penalty, but that was a calm before the storm as far as England were concerned.
New Zealand had the scent of more tries, and two arrived in barely as many minutes.
Allen's speculative midfield pass was intercepted by Rokocoko, who galloped 50 metres to score, but matters deteriorated for England, when the All Blacks again attacked from deep, utilising Rokocoko's fellow wing Gear.
Gear's angles of running caused mayhem in the England defence, and even though his chief support act was again Woodcock, New Zealand still had enough time and space to work Woodcock's fellow prop Hayman over.
Carter failed to add the extras, yet New Zealand had entered a comfort zone and England were seemingly finished.
The hosts had to strike first after half-time, and they delivered when quality linking between Leicester trio skipper Martin Corry, hooker George Chuter and flanker Lewis Moody sent Cohen across.
It was the Northampton wing's 31st Test touchdown -- putting him level on the all-time England list with Will Greenwood -- and Hodgson's conversion at least gave England a glimmer of hope.
Such optimism though was snuffed out with more than a quarter of the match still remaining, as Carter -- a late replacement for injured fly-half Nick Evans -- stamped his class all over an increasingly one-sided encounter.
Carter missed a penalty he should have landed, but virtually from the restart he brushed off Allen's weak challenge and sprinted over for a converted try that ensured England conceded a record Twickenham points tally.
England debutant scrum-half Shaun Perry then lit up the gloom when he fielded Mauger's shallow grubber and sped off for a breakaway try from 60 yards out.
New Zealand then lost Chris Masoe to the sin-bin in the 65th minute for killing the ball and England fans readied themselves for a late flourish.
But Hodgson missed the ensuing shot at goal and the tourist made clever use of the ten minute period, opting for time-consuming kicks at goal that only extended their lead.
The All Blacks now turn their attentions to the double-header against the French; England would be advised to turn towards the drawing board -- like their impressive new arena, they are not quite the finished article.
Man of the match: England matched their guests for hungry and spirit, with Jamie Noon playing perhaps his best game for England, but New Zealand were leagues ahead in terms of class and wit. Rico Gear had a super game for the All Blacks, as did -- inevitable -- Richie McCaw. But for sheer all-round cool and cunning, how can we not thrust this gong towards Dan Carter?
Moment of the match: We'll opt for the disallowed try -- the "whys" and "what ifs" will be ringing around pubs for days to come.
Villain of the match: A yellow-card for Chris Masoe, but it wasn't anything evil. Danny Grewcock gets our vote for having a tug at Andrew Ellis's blond locks -- unnecessary and, well, quite girly. What is it with him and New Zealanders?
The scorers:
For England:
Tries: Noon, Cohen, Perry
Cons: Hodgson
Pen: Hodgson
For New Zealand:
Tries: Mauger, Rokocoko, Hayman, Carter
Cons: Carter 3
Pens: Carter 3
The teams:
England: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Shaun Perry, 8 Pat Sanderson, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Martin Corry (captain), 5 Ben Kay, 4 Danny Grewcock, 3 Julian White, 2 George Chuter, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Lee Mears, 17 Stuart Turner, 18 Chris Jones, 19 Magnus Lund, 20 Peter Richards, 21 Andy Goode, 22 Mark Van Gisbergen.
New Zealand: 15 Malili Muliaina, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Chris Masoe, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Reuben Thorne, 5 Keith Robinson, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 John Afoa, 18 Clark Dermody, 19 Rodney So'oialo, 20 Andrew Ellis, 21 Leon MacDonald, 22 Sitiveni Sivivatu.
Referee: Joël Jutge (France)
Touch judges: Stuart Dickinson, Matt Goddard (both Australia)
Television match official: Christophe Berdos (France)
Assessors: Ian Scotney (Australia), Bob Francis (New Zealand)
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