ENGLAND TAKE ALL BLACKS TO THE WIRE !

Yesterday, England's Rugby Union team faced the ultimate test, playing the All Blacks at Twickenham. Last year, they achieved a remarkable victory over the World Champions and inflicted their only defeat since they lifted the trophy in 2011. However, over the last year the All Blacks had swept everyone aside and looked pretty invincible, so how did England measure up ?

 

After 2 very 'in-out' performances against Australia and Argentina, England had to do better and things started badly. Within 2 minutes the visitors had a try and were 7-0 ahead. Although England cut the deficit with an Owen Farrell penalty, the All Blacks played at a ferocious pace and threatened to overwhelm the home side; after less than 20 minutes, it was 17-3 to the visitors and it looked like being a very bad day for England.

 

From then on things were different. England began to get into the game and a hard won try reduced the deficit to 17-10; although the All Blacks scored with a penalty, 2 penalties by Farrell meant that England went in at half time only 4 points adrift, at 16-20. For significant periods, they had pushed the All Blacks back and really looked on a par with their illustrious opponents.

 

In the second half, England continued to press although the All Blacks remained very dangerous on the break. The pace of the match was awesome and both sides were playing at full tilt. One great improvement from the England of last year was the dearth of penalties conceded, while the visitors gave away too many; Farrell converted his first of the half after 53 minutes and, miraculously, put England ahead with another on the hour. Was it possible that England could repeat last year's momentous victory ?

 

Sadly, it was not. A converted try and penalty put the All Blacks back in control and, despite their best efforts, England could not score again. In fact, as the match drew to a close, it was the All Blacks who looked more dangerous. The final score of 22-30 was fair but didn't really tell the story of a terrific match. Playing against the team acknowledged to be the best in the world, England came close to causing a huge upset and can certainly hold their heads high. They weren't perfect and there are areas of their play that need serious attention, not least the open play of the backs, but this was a performance full of guts, determination and marvellous forward play. They gave the All Blacks an almighty fright and can look forward to the Six Nations in February with considerable confidence.

 

The All Blacks played like the champions that they are but England did very well indeed and can be real challengers come the World Cup in England and Wales in 2015. Here's hoping !