All Blacks show character in win
LONDON: New Zealand learned valuable lessons in a hostile environment as it came from behind to eke out a 1615 win over England at a rainlashed Twickenham yesterday.
The world champions trailed 150 after England scored two early tries and although the All Blacks never threatened to cut loose with their usual flowing rugby, they did enough to notch up another win, less than a year before their World Cup defence.
‘‘England were very, very good and we showed a lot of character in a hostile environment after being 150 down and in the weather conditions,’’ New Zealand coach Steve Hansen told a news conference.
‘‘It wasn’t conducive to playing razzledazzle rugby. We showed a lot of character.’’
Recalled England winger Chris Ashton scored a try within two minutes before cocaptain Dylan Hartley was driven over from a rolling maul to give his side hope of repeating its famous 2012 win over New Zealand.
‘‘They started extremely well. We were on the back foot straight away but we just had to work things out. It’s been a while since we played in these condi
NZ v England
The scores tions,’’ New Zealand captain Kieran Read said.
The All Blacks regrouped and, after they refused a kickable penalty, a scything run by replacement centre Ryan Crotty set up a position for first fiveeighth Beauden Barrett to flick a neat inside pass to fullback Damian McKenzie, who scorched over the line.
Barrett converted and added a penalty as New Zealand narrowed the gap to 1510 at halftime.
‘‘Those 10 points were vital for us,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘It’s all about using that momentum when you’ve got it.’’
Barrett’s dropped goal and another penalty edged New Zealand ahead, but it had to endure a nervous wait after England flanker Sam Underhill took advantage of a chargedown and sprinted 30m down the left wing for a try with four minutes left.
The TMO ruled out the try and Hansen agreed England replacement forward Courtney Lawes had been offside before charging down the kick.
‘‘There’s no doubt he was offside, just about in the halfback’s back pocket,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘What was going through my mind was were they brave enough to make the right decision and they were.’’
New Zealand duly sealed the win and Read was delighted with his team’s resolve ahead of next week’s test against Ireland.
‘‘There were some great lessons,’’ Read said. ‘‘Not many guys in our team have played at Twickenham against the English. It’s about trust and belief, we had to roll our sleeves up.
‘‘The English really came at us and showed it for the full 80 so I’m really proud of my lads.’’
Hansen praised his players’ resilience.
‘‘You are not going to be able to control all the moments in the game and to have momentum all the time,’’ he said.
‘‘We had the selfbelief and mental fortitude to hang in there.’’ — Reuters