Awesome All Blacks crush the red rose

ENGLAND’S record Twickenham crowd of 82,000 witnessed a record-breaking occasion — but for all the wrong reasons as New Zealand underlined their credentials as overwhelming World Cup favourites.

The rampant All Blacks racked up an all-time highest points total for a visiting team at Twickenham as fly-half magician Dan Carter inevitably ran the show with an imperious 26-point haul.

The losing margin was England’s worst loss at home. England’s under-pressure coach Andy Robinson presided over a sixth successive defeat as red rose supporters were left clutching at straws.

Scrum-half Shaun Perry lit up the gloom with a breakaway debut try, while wing Ben Cohen also crossed and centre Jamie Noon crossed, yet New Zealand always had an extra gear, with Carter, centre Aaron Mauger, wing Joe Rokocoko and prop Carl Hayman claiming touchdowns. Carter kicked the rest of the scores.

The odds were always stacked against England, who had beaten New Zealand just six times in 101 years.

New Zealand eased ahead when Carter slotted a penalty inside three minutes, but England were left shaking their heads in disbelief when they were denied a try just two minutes later.

Full-back Iain Balshaw scattered New Zealand’s defence, and before the All Blacks could regroup, Noon went for broke, brushing off two tackles as he ploughed over.

Initial video evidence suggested he had claimed the touchdown, but television match official Christophe Berdos ruled otherwise following a lengthy stoppage, and England were denied.

“It took the wind out of our sails a little bit,” Robinson said. “There are key moments in sport but that’s the way the game goes.”

In terms of England’s momentum, it proved a crucial moment as New Zealand simply weathered the storm and stung their hosts through a breakaway score that emphasised a gulf in standards.

Wing Rico Gear ran aggressively into England’s half, and even when he ran out of numbers, prop Tony Woodcock kept possession alive before quickly recycled possession saw skipper Richie McCaw send Mauger over.

England had a mountain to climb, 13-0 adrift after 22 minutes, but it was the cue for a vibrant response.

A try arrived when debutant centre Anthony Allen’s break caused enough panic in New Zealand’s defence and Noon made amends for his earlier miss by touching down.

The score gave England a glimmer of hope, but New Zealand finished the half in blistering fashion, more than doubling their points tally.

New Zealand had the scent of more tries, and two arrived in barely as many minutes.

Allen’s speculative midfield pass was intercepted by Rokocoko, who galloped 50 metres to score, and matters deteriorated for England when the All Blacks again attacked from deep through Rico Gear.

His angles of running caused mayhem in the England defence, and even though his chief support act was again Woodcock, New Zealand still had enough time and space to work Woodcock’s fellow prop Hayman over.

The world champions had to strike first after half-time, and they delivered when quality linking between Martin Corry, hooker George Chuter and flanker Lewis Moody sent Cohen across. Hodgson’s conversion at least gave England a glimmer of hope.

Such optimism though was snuffed out with more than a quarter of the match still remaining, as Carter stamped his class all over an increasingly one-sided encounter.

Carter missed a penalty he should have landed, but virtually from the restart he brushed off Allen’s weak challenge and sprinted over for a try that ensured England conceded a record home points tally.

Although Perry’s 60-metre breakaway score lifted spirits among the capacity crowd, New Zealand remained in control.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry deadpanned: “We are very pleased. The guys played some very good football. We perhaps gave away a few too many penalties in the second half but to come away with a win at Twickenham, you’ve always got to enjoy that.”

New Zealand scorers — Tries: Mauger, Rokocoko, Hayman, Carter. Cons: Carter 3. Pens: Carter 5.

England scorers — Tries: Noon, Cohen, Perry. Cons: Hodgson. Pens: Hodgson.

ENGLAND: Balshaw, Sackey, Noon, Allen, Cohen, Hodgson, Perry, Sheridan, Chuter, White, Grewcock, Kay, Corry, Moody, Sanderson.

Replacements: Richards for Perry (66), Mears for Chuter (75), Lund for Sanderson (60).

NEW ZEALAND: Muliaina, Gear, Nonu, Mauger, Rokocoko, Carter, Kelleher, Woodcock, Mealamu, Hayman, Jack, Robinson, Thorne, McCaw, Masoe.

Replacements: Sivivatu for Gear (70), Ellis for Kelleher (68), Dermody for Woodcock (72), Hore for Mealamu (75), Afoa for Hayman (75), So’oialo for Thorne (72).

Att: 82,000

Referee: Joel Jutge (France).