First Test
Overview
An ugly game in terms of cohesion and skill execution from both teams. The All Blacks were especially poor – their pass and catch let them down while their scrum creaked. It was their depth of character and sheer will power that enabled them to hang on and sneak a late win.
Key Play
With the scores locked at 15- all and four minutes remaining, the All Blacks won a kickable penalty. Aaron Cruden had his hands on the ball, appeared to be about to signal his intention to go for goal when
Beauden Barrett called for him to tap and go. The All Blacks made it to the line where they won a scrum and scored from
the next play when Conrad Smith charged left to right to create an overlap.
Coaching View
Stuart Lancaster
They showed once they got that good set- piece ball with Kieran Read’s delivery from the top, that quick ball with good width makes it hard to defend. We have to slow the ball down or certainly stop the ball at source. What they do better than us is finish their line- breaks.
They are still a benchmark for every international team, I think. New Zealand were outstanding very clinical and took their opportunities extremely well in difficult conditions.
Chris Robshaw
England