THIRD TEST

Overview

After starting slowly in their first two tests, the All Blacks motored out in the third and found their rhythm early. It helped that England were well off the pace and four tries were scored in the first half hour. It should have been at least two more. A revival in the second half saw England avoid humiliation but the All Blacks were devastating in those first 40 and deserved their world recordequalling 17th consecutive victory.

Key Play

The All Blacks were already in fourth gear when Richie McCaw stood wide from a lineout, held his run and then cleverly delayed his pass to Aaron Cruden in the midfield. By bravely holding on – he took a massive hit from Billy Vunipola – McCaw created a huge overlap from which Julian

Savea scored his second try.

Co aching View

Steve Hansen

I think last [ third test] night hurt them. I think psychologically it hurt them, particularly that first half there was really only one side in it

in those first 40 minutes.

It’s always good to have a psychological advantage but the key thing for us was that we played well. That’s what we were looking for and we made progress from test one through to test three. It was satisfying and something we desperately wanted.

Man of the Match

Brodie Retallick

NEW ZEALAND