Earlier today, New Zealand were apparently quoted as '12-1 on' favourites to win their encounter with England at Twickenham. Unbelievably, anyone who took the odds not only lost their money but must now be feeling horribly embarrassed at having dismissed the home side's chances so easily.
England played with tremendous spirit from first to last. With New Zealand's great kicker, Dan Carter, missing a couple, England built up a half-time lead of 12-0 which was extended to 15-0 within a few minutes of the restart through an immaculate display from Owen Farrell.
The All Blacks then came back with 2 brilliant tries, both converted by Carter and suddenly the gap was down to just 1 point. Just as it looked as though England might be overwhelmed, they hit back with a try from Brad Barritt, quickly followed by another from Chris Ashton; Farrell hit the bar with his first conversion effort and slid by the post with his second, but England still led by 11 points. A third try, this time after a brilliant interception from Manu Tuilagi, and converted by Farrell, followed by two more penalties, scored by Farrell's replacement Freddie Burns, and England led by an
unassailable 38-14.
Even a piece of stupidity from Vunipola, that saw him sent to the sin-bin, couldn't change things although the All Blacks did manage one try against the depleted English defence. The match ended with the visitors desperately searching for another try but the English defence held out and the home team recorded their greatest ever margin of victory against the side universally acknowledged as being the best in the world. 38-21 was not just the final score, it was a reflection of the magnificence of England's performance. Roll on the Six Nations !
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