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All Blacks extend unbeaten home run

New Zealand's Ma'a Nonu runs past England's Jamie Noon during the second Test in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Saturday. PHOTO: AP

The All Blacks extended their unbeaten home run to 28 Tests over five years, out-playing England 44-12 in the second Test yesterday.

The All Blacks scored five tries to two as they backed up from last week’s 37-20 first Test victory and fly-half Dan Carter again contributed 22 points from a try, four conversions and three penalties.

It was a gusty effort from a side that played most of the game without two of their most influential players after captain Richie McCaw and lock Ali Williams both left the field injured in the first 30 minutes.

Both players were taken to hospital for x-rays on leg injuries that coach Graham Henry described as “reasonably serious.”

The Test, played on the longest night of the year, ended a long, tough week for England.

Although they said their minds were set firmly on the game, preparations were overshadowed by a police probe into an alleged sexual assault by four England players after the first Test.

Although no formal complaint has been laid, and the players have denied the allegations, the focus on England during the week was on off-field developments, while the All Blacks were able to concentrate on their rugby.

But England coach Rob Andrew said that was no excuse.

“I thought in many areas we improved [on last week], we took the game on from last week, but didn’t reflect it on the scoreboard,” he said. “We were beaten by a better side, there is no doubt about that.”

The result left the All Blacks with a 3-0 record going into the Tri-Nations series, after they beat Ireland in a one-off Test and then made a clean-sweep of the England series.

Of the three victories, this was the most rewarding for Henry, who needed a commanding performance to justify his decision to dismantle a winning combination and inject three Test novices into the side.

But he was not fully satisfied with the performance.

“We’ve got a lot to work on,” Henry said. “We’re scoring tries from set pieces, which is positive, but a lot to work on at the breakdown. We got better defense as the game went on but we’ve got to do some work there as well. So, all in all, a pleasing performance, but frustrating because we’re not quite where we want to be yet.”

After their slow start a week ago, the All Blacks were quick to make amends with their first points on the board inside the first minute.

They won turnover ball from the kick-off and drove up to the line for Carter to land a simple penalty when England infringed in a ruck.

With the All Blacks probing every half gap in the England line, it was only a matter of time before a hole appeared and Richard Kahui was sent through for the easiest of tries.

It then became the Carter show as the All Blacks star pivot landed another penalty from wide out and then scored near the posts.

His try seemed pre-destined, coming from a 5m scrum after Carter, moments earlier, had dived over the line only to be held up in goal by Mathew Tait.

England’s first attempted penalty goal, from the kick-off of the second half, was botched by replacement fly-half Ollie Barclay, who missed a sitter from 23m out and right in front.

It was a costly error as the All Blacks immediately took play into England territory for Carter to land his third penalty and stretch the lead to 23-0.

England’s decision to play at pace eventually paid off when Danny Care scampered across from a tap penalty and Barclay’s conversion hit the upright and bounced over.

The All Blacks replied from the kick-off with a well-rehearsed move in which Carter passed inside to Sitiveni Sivivatu, who moved the ball wide to Ma’a Nonu — who scored.

Carter converted to put the All Blacks ahead 30-7, and it was soon 37-7 when replacement Sione Lauaki came off the back of a scrum to score a soft try which Carter converted.

Tom Varndell, who had missed a try in the first half when tackled into touch by Leon MacDonald as he dived for the line, made amends in the 66th minute when he came across from the left wing to score in the right-hand corner.

Replacement scrum-half Jimmy Cowan ended the match with a try in injury time after England had infringed when trying to run the ball out from their own line instead of kicking for touch.
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