England’s triumph a masterclass in belief

The warnings have been frequent and underpinned many of the superb All Black performances in Steve Hansen’s reign.

Any top team, he’d say, playing 5 per cent below their best is at risk against other premier sides. While there’ll be debate about the extent of the drop in quality from the All Blacks they struck that gruesome scenario at the worst time in Yokohama.

England played with wondrous venom and control as they dominated the Cup favourites.

Where the All Blacks hit early and sustained the quarter-final heat on Ireland, a week later they were the unrecognisable victims. As much as the NZ side tried to slither and wriggle their way into clear air, they were hunted and bashed by a relentless England who pressed forward with every attacking or defensive play.

It was a masterclass in belief and a tribute to the coaching and selection talents of Eddie Jones and his crew.

Prematch opinions on the result were divided along bloodlines. The All Blacks had the historical advantage but England were a team on the rise and it might come down to the kicking percentages of Richie Mo’unga and Owen Farrell.

Even that theory was wide of the mark as England unfurled a game for the occasion. They were half a step in front of the ABs all game and that difference produced a 19-7 triumph.

Farrell gave the kicking tee to sureshot George Ford while Mo’unga only had one attempt, after England messed up a defensive lineout. That was a rare blemish while mistakes littered the All Blacks’ profile.

England’s lineout purred with the majestic Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes while the All Blacks spluttered with double the targets and had a scrum which wobbled as well.

The front five creaked for most of the match and that malaise infected the rest of the side. They started to infringe more and make unwise calls because of the mounting pressure as England kept a chokehold.

When Aaron Smith tried a bomb from an attacking lineout near England’s 22, things looked more askew and that was in the first quarter. England were energised and the All Blacks looked wan.

After the break their accuracy deteriorated. Passes went astray, kicks were inaccurate, tackles missed as anxiety took a stronger hold.

In midfield Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown gave it all but they had little to work with. The twin playmaker scheme got few chances to work with effective possession as Mo’unga was enveloped and Beauden Barrett was lassoed, while it seemed like a triumph if the pack made it across the advantage line.

It was tough going. England feasted on that anxiety and shut down any signs of an All Black final quarter surge. They tried but it was risk with no reward against the marauders.

Jordie Barrett clocked Angus Ta’avao in the mush with a rash offload, Sam Whitelock had a penalty reversed after he pushed Farrell in the face, Brodie Retallick’s offside in a maul drew a warning.

England were way too good and with the scent of victory would not let go. A second Cup is realistic but holding form will be their challenge.