- David
Yes - we won it!!! It is so nice to report on a fantastic result after Monday mornings much awaited game-of-games. The All Blacks were the most composed during the thrilling encounter and although the statistics showed the game was matched evenly throughout with posession and territory, the professional calibre of the All Blacks ensured that if the opposition team miss's the points when they are there for the taking then they will be punished relentlessy from there on in. Full credit to the All Blacks who played with the most consistentcy and captivated many English suporters with their daringness to attck and hold phase after phase until an opposition line was breached. Congratulations All Blacks. P.S. Oh and 7/10 to the French Referee who had a "distinguished" game up until the 70th minute when the call came for him to restrict All Black opportunties in case the score "blew out"!Sacred Bleu to come on the French in Paris shortly!!!
- JP
Started fast off pace in second, elimnate we errors. Ma'a is not my fav but he creates out of nothing, defence can be untidy but he made holes. Dan can't be rated he's 10 for not being injured. Overall perfomance 7/10
- Jbro
A win is a win. Any All Blacks win...is a good win. But the "Poms" scored three tries against the All Blacks. Not many teams do that. Especially teams from Europe. The Englishmen actually did very well. But Daniel Carter was the difference. If there was no Daniel Carter. How good...really is - the present All Black team? Average...compared to the All Black teams - of the past. p.s. : Rico Gear...give him the ball - give him more opportunities. Rico has the potential to be one of the best wing's NZ has ever produced. But he needs to be given more opportunities.
- Howard Henry
I do believe that the bad criticism will never stop but yes why can't we just accept the fact that we won against England and we beat them good.Other then that i think the All /blacks had an outstanding game big game from Dan Carter and the rest Ma'a Nonu was punishing, i would like to see him as the number one centre, they just need to work on him moer but yes he doesn't need the extra criticism from the media he is a rare breed.
- taigar
I think we should stop moaning about all the bad stuff the All Blacks did (even tho there wasn't much) and be positive about the fact that we just won against England! this is a great achievement so full credit to the boys! Dan Carter played outstanding once again which came to show when he scored 26 points. Total legend Dan!!!
- Cathie Buhler
Finally the All Black lineout looks dominant - thanks largely to the return of the inspirational Keith Robinson - while on another note, a victory in such comprehensive fashion at Twickenham is one to be savoured. So, the All Blacks line looked alarmingly penetrable at moments, but that surely cannot take the gloss over a commanding performance, at a ground where the All Blacks traditionally make tough work of proceedings. A great game of rugby, all in all, fast paced, a little bit of flamboyance from a usually flat English back line, and a referee that refused to take the input of players questioning decisions. Oh, and Dan Carter is truly in a class of his own isn't he?
- Michael
Sadly as a Kiwi living in Australia we did not get to see the game as it was not shown on fox sports. The Poms won that battle/not allowing access to the game.
- Simon
Nonu and Masoe looked out of their depth this morning, Nonu offers a bit on attack but his defence was as effective as the pommy scrum. Masoe is meant to be the back up 7, but he cant even beat locks to the breakdown, bring back Marty
- Jason Gray
Aaron Mauger-This will be our downfall in the world cup.Please wake up to the "con-trick" esp by Aussie experts to say he is a vital link in our backline. He is being set-up and will be exposed in a VITAL match. Very poor decisions, zero aggression, p***-poor pace.S electors have some balls or you will regret your choice. WAYNE SMITH for goodness sake THINK!!!
- Kerry Charles Gates
I couldn't believe that some of these guys have been out of top level rugby for over 2 months. A great first up effort. Sure, there are some areas to work on (like defence at the centre position) but a very good first up effort. Keith Robinson seemed to have a positive calming effect on the lineout and took a lot of pressure off Chris Jack who had a much more flowing game this morning.
- Ray
I love wins against the Poms! The tight five were superb and the loose trio done well even without Jerry and Rodney. Dan Carter continues to stamp his mark on world rugby and the outside backs are all major threats with Mills confirming that his best position is full back. My only gripe is that everyone coming down on Nonu. The Noon try was not his fault. Mauger and Nonu both took the dummy runners that came outside the England second five - as they should. It was Rico Gear who let Noon through. Another point is I feel Mauger was the weak link in that mid-field. If everyone feels it is ok to grill Nonu on his 'supposed defensive lapses' then a fair bit should be dished out to Mauger who missed a number of tackles and also kicked the ball straight to Perry for his try. Come on NZ, give Nonu a fair go and support the boy.
- Des Taurima
I gotta admit, I'm a league freak, but I can understand why Rugby internationals just sell out stadiums, the Ablacks were awesome, I was in awe of their attack and defence, they were not composed in a few patchy areas but mate, compare that to the Kangaroos vs Great Britan on the weekend, this Rugby game beats this hands down. Rugby League critics may cheap shot Union and say they kick the ball all times, but the two games in the weekend including the Wallabies game against Wales, had me at the edge of my seat, such a pity as in League, a Kiwi and Australia international are the ONLY two real internationls in World Rugby League, so instead of cheap shot coments from League critics, maybe try and find out why Rugby World Cup is the third biggest event on the sporting calender and maybe Rugby League can grow ... from an Aussie League boy to your Rugby All Blacks ... 'You Go You Good Thing!!!
- Tino Seiuli
Maa Nonu Must Go
Back play in the modern game revolves around large mobile centres who understand when to pass and what type of pass to use on attack and how to run to the gap or hole. Nonu continues to show at this level that he is found wanting in his execution of these aspects of the centre position. Conrad Smith however is answer as he reads the game so well and he creates play for his wingers, skills Nonu doesn't possess. Likewise on defence Nonu is unable to alter his tackle line and he seems to miss read the defensive drift. Nonu's time in the international game is clearly over.
- Kerry Mancer
It's all very well saying this was an understrength All Black team who had little time to gel. What about England? It was their first game of the season, they were decimated by injuries, three players were making their debuts, and yet they still managed to outscore the All Blacks in the second half and run in 3 tries
- Andrew Stevenson
What, indeed, does Aaron Mauger contibute? His kicking is poor, defence weak and line breaks non-existent. He offers 'experience' purely on the basis of being consistently selected. Is it too late to install a replacement? And is it too early to ask: who should be Robinson's locking partner?
- Morris Trainor
An England B team? You've got to be (to use some Pommy vernacular) 'aving a larf. Since when were Sanderson, Corry, Grewcock, Kay, Sheridan et al considered B players? I don't buy into the "B team" theory, and if I did, you could argue the England team was no more under-strength than the NZ team was. Regardless, both teams had their points to prove in this match. Of course the team was going to be a touch patchy, but a 21-point win over an England team at Twickenham is a great result.
-Mathew J Smith
Great first up performance by the ABs as some players obviously lacked match play. Impressed with Masoe at No. 8 as this is an ideal position for his strengths, not so with Nonu at centre as too many first up tackles missed and ball security still suspect. McCaw and Carter again impressive and a great welcome back to Robinson. Impressed with Englands attitude to try and play an expansive game althoug the application and accuracy is not there. Roll on the French.
- Glen Guy
I think the All Blacks Played well This morning and did almost everything that Graham Henrey asked, yes there were a few handling errors but apart from that they did play well. They scored the most points ever scored at Twickenham. Dan Carter is ONE of best not only that New Zealand has seen but that the world has seen, and with scoring 26 points he is "THE MAN".
- Jason
A bit rusty, but still too much class for England. The AB's will need to tighten up on 'D' as the wily french will expose us. Not sure about Nonu\Mauger combo either.
- Steve H
A wonderful display of power and pace by the AB's who at times looked rusty but were ultimately to classy for an English side who, at times, showed that given quick ball and resisting there first inclination to kick for the sidelines, can muster up some attractive rugby of their own. Dan Carter once again reaffirmed his place as the premier flyhalf in world rugby, Richie McCaw, freak, need I say more and where would the All Blacks be without the awesome power and presence of Carl Hayman, a player on track to etch his name alongside the great "hardmen" to have worn the black Jersey. A mention must be made of the stirling work of Keith Robinson whose pheonix like reincarnation must now surely be complete.
- Jason Kelly
Nonu shouldn't go. He hasn't been given a fair go. Give him a chance. If anyone should go its Maugher.
- Ann Lyons
New Zealand were impressive despite being a little rusty, fully justififying their #1 status. Their defence will undoubtedly improve during the course of the latest european tour. Dan Carter in particular was outstanding. As a Welshman I'm hoping he'll have an off day when the AB's play Wales at the end of November!
- Steve, Wales
In response to Mr Steven Heaths comment about having the first string players time to gel, what do you think the tri nations was for? And also these two tests against the French were Henry said his top team would play.
- Stuart Pratt
The All Blacks are in good form to face the French next week. However, I think they were lacking a bit in their attack in this match. The attacking line was often flat as if they were on defence. During this particular match, the English employed rush defence and drift defence. Why the ABs didn't employ more 'two out' passes from the ruck to avoid the rush defence around the ruck, or more cut moves in the back line to combat the drifting defence with angled running lines against the flow of the defensive line, only the coaches and players know. Because I sure don't! Yet it was clear that this is what it would have taken to dominate the English side, instead of having to rely on our flair in broken play.Lessons to be learned, that's for sure.
- D. Rangiuia
Good performance first up. Must be some concern about the defence with the English getting through three times to score but this is no one person's fault. Ma'a is definitely getting better and he needs to play more to get consistency and more confidence at this level.
- Okesene Moananu
A bit of reality please. Anyone would have thought the All Blacks have just won the World Cup final not beaten an England B team in an friendly exhibition game.
- K C
I disagree that England fielded a weak team and I strongly believe that all AB fans should be full of confidence for our boys' foray into France. To call the English side weak is to underrate their performance. Todays English side is a totally different side than the old 'catch and kick' England of the Johnny Wilkinson era. Their performance today falls well short of brilliant, but so does the ABs.
This test was a good hitout for our boys and a good preparation match for the trip to France, but it was also a good eye-opener for the rest of the rugby world to see how far England has come in a year.
Two things about this match are certain:
1. England lost the match even before the kickoff, when Nick Evans was ruled out of the match and Dan Carter was called to duty.
2. The Twickenham crowd will definitely have left the stadium severely chastened.
- John Murphy
"Patchy" but to be expected first up. However, the selectors have to come to terms with the problems with Second Five Eight and Centre - before World Cup time. Aaron Mauger is grossly overated and is a weak link. Why Robbie Deans rates him so highly apart from the fact that he is a Fellow Cantabrian - I fail to see. Ma Nonu is "on again off again" inconsistent, unreliable, defensively suspect. We cannot afford to take these two into a World Cup Campaign as a First Choice Combination. Happy with the win and the way it was achieved, but Nonu has just got to go. Most of the defensive lapses lay at his door, against someone like France, we would be in serious trouble.
- Simon K
Despite the scoreline, the AB's showed just how uncertain a world cup win is next year. But for some shocking refereeing early on, this game could quite easily have gone the other way. The New Zealand defence looked average at best, and the attack looked less than inspiring, relying more on opposition mistakes than on their own creativity.
- Paul Sher
An excellent effort for the first game of the tour. All aspects were impressive except some lapses in mid-field. The return of Keith Robinson provided welcome tougness to the tight five.
- Tim Laing
Its good to see the main players within the AB squad stepping up again to complete a good victory. The rotation policy is unfortunately creating an uninspiring spectacle. Disjointed and disconnected rugby reliant on the individual skills of a few. When are the first string going to be given the opportunity to gel together as a side and produce teh rugby this team promises but has so far failed to deliver?
- Steven Heath
When is Aaron Mauger going to stop doing his little kicks as they lose us the ball and after this mornings performance, keep him on the bench. Very poor game from him.
- Chris Mckay
Patchy from long lay offs but good discipline; Maa Nonu improving but need to play a tighter game against France. Should be very close, perhaps 23- 21
- M J Burns
