England’s onslaught ends in gallant failure
Outgunned All Blacks are left shaking with relief
MORE OF a street mugging than a sporting contest but an engaging and thunderous spectacle nevertheless. This was rugby in the raw, sport at its most visceral. And if New Zealand eventually won a match which was both draining and downright dangerous at times, it was England who finished with heads held high. The All Blacks were shaking with relief as well as exhaustion come the end. As Ben Cohen was bundled into touch in the final move of an exhilarating afternoon they leapt as one to punch the air in delight.
They knew they had been in a titanic battle. They knew they had been stretched this way and that. They knew they had been outgunned by England up front and in terms of commitment and attitude generally. But they also knew that victory was theirs and that all they have to do is blast past Scotland on Saturday to clinch a famous and historic grand slam.
The extent of New Zealand’s predicament can be gauged by the fact that they played the last 23 minutes of the match with 14 players. Indeed they were down to 13 for a minute or two. Three times a New Zealander was sent to the sin bin for cynical and persistent infringements. First, prop Tony Woodcock was dismissed, then replacement prop Neemia Tialata went, and finally flanker Chris Masoe was ordered from the field, such was the pressure exerted by England’s front five. Fair play to the All Blacks for hanging on in such difficult circumstances but this is a team which has still to add a hardened inner core to its obvious rugby gifts.
There were many heroes for England. Andrew Sheridan did not get anything like the dominance he enjoyed over Al Baxter a week ago against Australia, but he was still a pivotal figure, as was Steve Thompson. It was the raw power and aggression, demonstrated by that pair which drove England on. Steve Borthwick had his best game in the England lineout by some distance and Lewis Moody and Pat Sanderson were a constant source of irritation to New Zealand.
Even among the backs there were exhibitions of rare grit and bravery. Charlie Hodgson was targeted throughout by some predatory New Zealand tacklers but he maintained his composure and resolve to keep England in New Zealand’s territory. Mike Tindall, Mark Cueto and Cohen also featured in several bludgeoning moves but, perversely, it was this aspect of England’s attack which eventually proved their undoing.
Martin Corry had got England off to a sensational start when he was driven over from a lineout after only three minutes but that was the extent of England’s creativity. No matter how much possession they won, no matter how much territory they dominated, they simply could not drive the dagger deep under the All Blacks’ ribcage and twist it. Even when New Zealand were reduced to 14 men they somehow managed to thwart England, who were forced to rely on the accuracy of Hodgson’s boot for their points.
New Zealand, by contrast, had someone capable of unlocking defences. Daniel Carter was nowhere near his best but he slid past England’s big forwards on two occasions as he ran hard at them and each time his surge led to a score. Tana Umaga was the first beneficiary of Carter’s break even if the pass looked suspiciously forward. And later in the second half it was Keven Mealamu who drove over for the score with the assistance of Woodcock after Carter had ghosted past England’s first line of defenders.
Given the little amount of ball which came his way, and given the pressure that England exerted throughout the match, Carter did wonderfully well to be as effective as he was. Like Hodgson, he did miss one shot at goal but as it was his first in a run of 24 successful attempts we can cut him a bit of slack.
Finding players with guile as well as brawn must now be top of coach Andy Robinson’s wish list. He could not have asked more from his charges in terms of attitude but there is still a disturbing sterility around the England back line and a tactical naivety which is a hangover from last season.
Midway through the second half England went for a lineout when a scrum looked a better attacking platform after Woodcock had been sent to the bin. And minutes later they settled on a penalty when New Zealand were down to 13 and vulnerable. It’s easy to play the game afterwards but the best teams make the right decisions at the time.
It was a shock early on to witness a New Zealand side so clearly off colour. They missed Richie McCaw terribly because they were unable to get the quick ball from the contact area their potent back line demands. Rodney So’oialo and Masoe were marvellously combative but they missed Carter’s craft.
Other faults were also apparent. In the early stages Byron Kelleher and Carter struggled to clear their lines in the face of persistent harassment from England’s back row and there were some unusual errors from Aaron Mauger in midfield. It was a tribute to England that as the match went on the All Blacks retreated into themselves, moving away from the fluid, adventurous rugby which has been their hallmark in their last dozen matches. England must take huge credit for that. They ran the world’s best side close but they also failed to close it out when they had New Zealand on the rack.
So New Zealand move on to Edinburgh and a tussle with Scotland which should prove a formality. Yesterday did not destroy their mantle of invincibility completely but it certainly shredded it round the edges. England’s misfortune is that they have blown their own opportunity to make a significant mark on world rugby again. This was by far their biggest match of the season and it ended in gallant failure. And who gives a monkey’s about that?