England
22-All Blacks 30
The
vigorous vibes of excitement twirled like a spinning top over
Twickenham, tinged with feverish feelings of anxious anticipation.
England proved resilient but New Zealand reaffirmed why they are the
most dominant team in the history of the world.
A
unified English crowd swayed in the resounding lyrics of ‘Swing Low
Sweet Chariot’
Whilst
the Kiwis performed their ‘Haka’
It
was thrilling, it was chilling and it was almost coffee spilling.
The
All Blacks, connecting with Mother Earth and reaffirming self belief
and supremacy.
With
less than 5 minutes on the clock, the All Blacks took control
with the swift, stylish synchronisation they are rightly famous for.
An impeccable off-load from Kieran Read to a smiling Julian Savea saw
him cross the try line. This was coupled with a conversion
from Dan Carter, taking them to 0-7. This was the worst possible
start for England, were the wheels of the Chariot falling
off?
However,
England rallied and replied and a couple of minutes later Owen
Farrell gained a penalty from 45m out closing the gap on the Kiwis,
3-7. After a misunderstanding from Ben Foden who charged down the
field to hurl over the line with an intercepted ball, Dan Carter
widened the gap to 3-10, with a 15m penalty .The tumultuous pace was
dictated by the All Blacks and if he wasn't setting up the tries,
Read was over the line with a conversion by Carter. 3-17.
England
weren’t able to get to the breakdowns out wide with the speed of
the Kiwis. But the wake up call had registered. About 18 minutes into
the game, the momentum changed and for me it was a case of dominance
from England as penalties were gained.
Especially
22 minutes in, when an England try was bizarrely disallowed by
the TMO, due to the ball supposedly being grounded just short of
the line. The scrum was reset and then Hallelujah, another drive at
the line and TMO referral conceded a Joe Launchbury try and then easy
Farrell conversion, 10-17. As Dan Carter sadly left the field injured
after 25 minutes during his 100th cap, Aaron Cruden replaced him and
the gauntlet was just visible.
Even
with the absence of several star players, England showed their true
capabilities, to respond, change their strategies and turn the game
round. Billy Vunipola proved his ability to gain ground and
create an impact on the pitch. England were adding definition and
completion to their play with Lawes and Launchbury winning the
line-outs and enabling Lee Dickson to play quick ball.
And
Even though a penalty kicked by Cruden took the score to 10-20,
England's luck was in! Read had found himself
being penalised for an earlier obstruction on Farrell and
subsequently, in the 32nd minute, sent to the Sin Bin for driving
into the side of the ruck. Two subsequent penalties
from Farrell in the 33rd and 38th minute took the board to
16-20 and the momentum was now being dictated by England. Could they
have taken the lead before half time? Not quite, another five minutes
may have clinched it.
England
16-All Blacks 20
As
the second half unfolded, the England forwards came up with speed
from deep and drove over the gain line repeatedly. As
Launchbury went off in the 46min and was replaced by Geoff Parling,
Dylan Hartley made a massive hit on McCaw, and sadly, appeared to be
reeling and very unsteady - he was replaced several minutes later by
Tom Youngs.
Cruden
missed a penalty in the 48th minute and then‘The Tipping
Point’ moment.
With
a lucky penalty for a late tackle on Ashton, Farrell took
the board to 19-20, the tension was palpable. Twelvetrees, Lawes and
Vunipola displaying quicker ball and the positive play England needed
to succeed.
And
then the moment we had all been waiting for, a penalty was awarded to
England. Farrell kicked the points in the 59th minute and England
lead for the first time going into the last quarter of the game.
England
22- All Blacks 20 Savour it!!
However,
this lead couldn't be maintained for long as a supreme try
of the match was set up
by a
miracle ball from Nonu. The poetry in motion style of his
offloading should be studied and practiced up and down the land.
When he felt those tackling arms around him and caught the tiniest
glimpse of black in his peripheral vision, he off loaded with ease
and trust and although stalwart Brown did his best, Savea followed
through and Cruden converted. 22-27.
England's
play seemed to be deteriorating, they lost the last three line outs
and it looked like Tom Youngs had got out of bed on the wrong side.
His four successive errors, handing the ball to the Kiwis on a plate
arguably contributed to the game’s outcome.
As
England pounded their defence for nigh on 40 minutes, it must have
felt like striving to make headway the wrong way round a one way
system in London, continuously and uncontrollably being confronted by
Daleks.
One
only needs to view previous footage of All Blacks play to appreciate
the ingenious speed of foresight, uptake and decision making on the
hoof. These guys have the luxury of employing the dummy look.
Look to the right, pass to the left. Performance Art! But
make no mistake, they were rattled and rightly so. Man of the
match for me was Billy Vunipola. For England, the flair just
wasn’t there - but it will be.
Unfortunately
England were stuck in their own 22 for the last 20 minutes and when
they were penalised at the breakdown in the 71st minute,
the decider was kicked by Cruden, 22-30.
On
a lighter note what medieval ritual could England adopt pre-match in
future to display their bonding, commitment, strength and self
belief? Maybe a national competition to create a ritual could
be run for England to perform?
And
no, Morris dancing won’t cut it.