Bad decisions cost us again!
LANCASTER FOCUSED ON FINAL STEP AFTER ALL BLACKS EDGE WIN
STUART LANCASTER insisted that England are making progress despite slumping to a series defeat following the All Blacks’ onepoint win in Dunedin.
The rivals produced three tries apiece in a breathtaking second Test, but it was a devastating third- quarter spell that enabled New Zealand to extend their triumphant run to 16 matches.
Ben Smith, Julian Savea and Ma’a Nonu crossed to establish a 28- 13 lead after England had been 10- 6 up at half- time.
Mike Brown darted over in the 72nd minute to offer hope of a fightback that quickly faded, and Chris Ashton’s injury- time try was mere consolation.
“We are disappointed to have come away with nothing having worked so hard,” said Lancaster. “We put ourselves in a position to win after the first half.
“We have high expectations on this tour and having lost the first game so narrowly we wanted to level the series and take it to a decider in Hamilton.
“But they’re high- quality opposition and after another week together you could see the improved cohesion in their performance.
“There were one or two errors in our game, but overall the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Superb
“The backline created a lot of opportunities as a group. The frustration for us is not finishing the opportunities.
“It’s decision- making at the highest level we need to look at. That’s probably the next step we need to take with the team.”
England were superb in the first half and built up an early 10- 0 lead through Marland Yarde’s try and five points from Owen Farrell.
But when New Zealand eased through the gears in a clinical 11- minute spell, they had cantered out of sight.
“We were pushing the pace in the first half and in the second half the All Blacks showed why they’re the world champions,” said defence coach Andy Farrell.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen celebrated a series win over an England team he rates highly.
He said: “We certainly played better than in the first Test, but we needed to because England were a lot better too. It was a great Test match.” A YARDE QUICKER: The England wing barges his way over for the first try