JAMES MORTIMER 14 JUN 2014 GETTY IMAGES
Head coach Steve Hansen had called for improvement, as had captain Richie McCaw, who led the tackle count for his team with 12, a performance notably free of errors which allowed the hosts to generate the continuity needed to spark their attacking game.
In comparison to the first Test, the number one ranked team in world rugby saw their passes stick, and they looked to up the ante against what was a full strength England team.
The safety of the All Blacks hands saw the phases build up, which saw them dominate long periods with possession and territory, while individual players were superb.
Ben Smith put in a home town performance to be proud of with an incisive effort – 20 carries for 130 metres gained – while Julian Savea provided the predicted punch while the New Zealand forwards were more direct that last weekend.
Unveiling Kapo O Pango, the World Champions looked fired up, even though England would get the early advantages with double penalties.
The second would lead to Owen Farrell, one of five changes to the England starting XV, knocking over the first points after three minutes.
The All Blacks, on defence early, would concede enough penalties to earn McCaw a word that further infringements would lead to cards.
Marland Yarde would cross the first five points with the English midfield profiting from their first prolonged period with possession, and a Farrell conversion would make it 10-0 with 11 minutes played.
A penalty to Cruden would give the All Blacks their first points, but a miss in the 18th minute would allow England to take early control of the match.
New Zealand would play their promised ball in hand game to great effect, but England’s defence would hold firm, even though the match looked to be played at a higher pace.
A penalty to Cruden in the final stages of the first half would make it a 10-6 game to the English.
But the second half would be a different affair, with Ben Smith scoring in the 44th minute, Savea would give him the final pass after an initial Aaron Cruden break.
It would give the All Blacks the lead which they would not relinquish.
Julian Savea would score after another piece of brilliance from Ben Smith, while Aaron Smith made another defining break as the hosts began to find stretch their legs.
The All Blacks would dominate possession and territory by over 60 percent for the match, largely due to their efforts in the final 40 minutes.
The biggest difference was that the hosts passing was going from hand to hand, with great skills on display as the World Champions forwards also began to warm to their efforts.
England wouldn’t lie down, even though they lost Farrell to a yellow card as the game entered its final quarter.
Ma'a Nonu would crash over with another textbook effort from the back division, but England would finish with a flourish.
Mike Brown would score a try despite numerous replays from the TMO, while Chris Ashton would score on the death to give the English coaching staff a strong finish to work on.
But in front of a capacity crowd in Dunedin the All Blacks would secure the Steinlager Series 2-0 after the second of three Tests.
All Blacks 28
Tries: Smith (43), Savea (49), Nonu (62)
Pens: Cruden (11, 40), Barrett (59)
Cons: Cruden (44), Barrett (65)
England 27
Try: Yarde (7), Brown (71), Ashton (80)
Pen: Farrell (3, 47)
Con: Farrell (8, 71, 81)
In comparison to the first Test, the number one ranked team in world rugby saw their passes stick, and they looked to up the ante against what was a full strength England team.
The safety of the All Blacks hands saw the phases build up, which saw them dominate long periods with possession and territory, while individual players were superb.
Ben Smith put in a home town performance to be proud of with an incisive effort – 20 carries for 130 metres gained – while Julian Savea provided the predicted punch while the New Zealand forwards were more direct that last weekend.
Unveiling Kapo O Pango, the World Champions looked fired up, even though England would get the early advantages with double penalties.
The second would lead to Owen Farrell, one of five changes to the England starting XV, knocking over the first points after three minutes.
The All Blacks, on defence early, would concede enough penalties to earn McCaw a word that further infringements would lead to cards.
Marland Yarde would cross the first five points with the English midfield profiting from their first prolonged period with possession, and a Farrell conversion would make it 10-0 with 11 minutes played.
A penalty to Cruden would give the All Blacks their first points, but a miss in the 18th minute would allow England to take early control of the match.
New Zealand would play their promised ball in hand game to great effect, but England’s defence would hold firm, even though the match looked to be played at a higher pace.
A penalty to Cruden in the final stages of the first half would make it a 10-6 game to the English.
But the second half would be a different affair, with Ben Smith scoring in the 44th minute, Savea would give him the final pass after an initial Aaron Cruden break.
It would give the All Blacks the lead which they would not relinquish.
Julian Savea would score after another piece of brilliance from Ben Smith, while Aaron Smith made another defining break as the hosts began to find stretch their legs.
The All Blacks would dominate possession and territory by over 60 percent for the match, largely due to their efforts in the final 40 minutes.
The biggest difference was that the hosts passing was going from hand to hand, with great skills on display as the World Champions forwards also began to warm to their efforts.
England wouldn’t lie down, even though they lost Farrell to a yellow card as the game entered its final quarter.
Ma'a Nonu would crash over with another textbook effort from the back division, but England would finish with a flourish.
Mike Brown would score a try despite numerous replays from the TMO, while Chris Ashton would score on the death to give the English coaching staff a strong finish to work on.
But in front of a capacity crowd in Dunedin the All Blacks would secure the Steinlager Series 2-0 after the second of three Tests.
All Blacks 28
Tries: Smith (43), Savea (49), Nonu (62)
Pens: Cruden (11, 40), Barrett (59)
Cons: Cruden (44), Barrett (65)
England 27
Try: Yarde (7), Brown (71), Ashton (80)
Pen: Farrell (3, 47)
Con: Farrell (8, 71, 81)
