Phenomenal: Manu Tuilagi
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Delirium was the order of the day on Saturday at Twickenham as England defeated New Zealand 38-21 with three second-half tries.
New Zealand responded to a 15-0 defecit with scores from Julian Savea and Kieran Read, before England took charge thanks to three of their own from Brad Barritt, Chris Ashton and Manu Tuilagi in an astonishing second-half performance.
Owen Farrell endured a tumultuous week with being named as one of the best four players in the world, as if the pressure coming for England's most-capped player in Toby Flood wasn't enough. But the young Saracen flourished, showing great poise with the boot as he continued to tally up the points and steered England during the first half.
The All Blacks had been struck down by a vomiting bug during the week and despite Richie McCaw's claim that it would not affect them at Twickenham, New Zealand did not look themselves at all during the first 50 minutes as they were denied possession.
Julian Savea's try changed all of that; stepping his way through three England defenders in the left-hand corner to breathe life into the All Blacks. They flicked the switch and thundered forward from the re-start, sticking to their principles of running rugby and exploiting gaps that they left untouched in the first half.
England though were not simply going to fall down on their knees. Instead they roared back, thumping the All Blacks as the second half wore on. The rarest of breaks from Brad Barritt had the crowd roaring and a one-two with centre partner Tuilagi led to the hosts' first try.
Tuilagi then skipped through a tackle from Dan Carter to burst free, feeding Ashton who sprinted over for the second try. A Tuilagi interception then sealed the match, cruising home and slowing down as he neared the line as if he couldn't believe his luck. England were like a new team - the All Blacks were exhausted.
Whilst Carter missed two shots at goal in the first half, his fellow IRB Player of the Year nominee Farrell was accurate - knocking over two first-half penalties to give England a surprising 6-0 lead to the delight of the home crowd.
An overthrown lineout from Keven Mealamu resulted in another English driving maul before Tuilagi burst into the 22 and with the advantage being played, Farrell dropped back and stretched England's lead to nine.
Another infringement with seconds remaining left Farrell with another chance to strike before half-time, landing the 48 metre kick to leave the score at 12-0. Twickenham had never been more pleasantly surprised.
The run continued after the break with England winning a penalty at the scrum, Farrell again converting to leave New Zealand more than two converted tries behind the hosts.
Those tries duly arrived in two explosive bangs in the left-hand corner; the first coming from Savea then the second coming as the conclusion to some wonderful passing that left Read galloping into the corner before England scorched away. Savea responded with a try with only five minutes left but it was not enough as the All Blacks lost for the first time in 2012.
Man of the match: Two assists and one crucial interception try from Manu Tuilagi make him the player of the day.
Moment of the match: With New Zealand edging back into the match, Brad Barritt's score swung the momentum back in England's favour.
Villain of the match: The mystery bug that struck New Zealand earlier in the week. McCaw might have denied it would have an effect, but the All Blacks looked exhausted.
The scorers:
For England:
Tries: Barritt, Ashton, Tuilagi
Con: Farrell
Pens: Farrell (5), Burns
Yellow Card: Vunipola
For New Zealand:
Tries: Savea (2), Read
Cons: Carter (2), Cruden
England: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Mike Brown, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Alex Corbisiero.
Replacements: 16 David Paice, 17 David Wilson, 18 Mako Vunipola, 19 Courtney Lawes 20 James Haskell, 21 Danny Care, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Jonathan Joseph.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumunia, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Victor Vito, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Ben Smith.
by Ben Coles
@bencoles_
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
I've seen a few people call england's performance extravagant becasue we scores 3 tries. To be honest, and this is a compliment, they were more extravagant playing Australia and Fiji, throwing the ball around and shock horror getting thumped man and ball. This victory was traditional english rugby. bread and butter done really well and the work rate and pressure paid off. If Jake White had taken the england job we'd probably have reached this stage alot earlier in our development.
Posted 10:12 06th December 2012
carpelone says...
APV1
The only non mediocre player on the pitch was Barrit.
But yes, totally unexpected given the mediocre game England played against the Boks.
I did enjoy the game though, I understand that you are over the moon after years of mediocrity.
Well done, anyway.
Posted 16:39 04th December 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
What a win! I didn't bother recording it, because I couldn't see us winning. But what a difference in 7 days.
Okay, first up, The gracious behavior of the All Blacks and their fans is a credit to them and human beings. I think everyone will agree that NZ didn't play their A game for whatever reason. Fatigue, Norosvirus, Expecting an easy win. Probably a little of all three. They still contributed to a brilliant game and I love how whenever they get hit, their response is to hit back harder. It's exciting and admirable and quirky. Quirky? yeah, because Manu's intercept is something that Springbok fans will be familar with. You hit the all blacks and they get hulk up, and just like the hulk, the intelligence, perception goes down. Jean De Villiers has done what Manu did a million times. (ish). Either way NZ are the best in the world and I'm glad both sets of fans are just appreciating a great performance by two teams.
England were structured. They had a game plan. and they played their bum's off on Saturday. We've now got a benchmark to measure ourselves by and its imperative that we don't let this become another "England backlash" Lets put NZ to one side and just look at our performance. We did the bread and butter basics to a very high standard. Our Pack was magnificent in that regard. The tries were a direct result of our blitz defense, our rucking, our workrate, our tactical kicking, it was the little things done really well and with gusto.
I laughed on sunday listening to Dewi Morris jumping on the victory bandwagon. Sky viewers will know that dewi's mantra is heads up, throw the ball about. Saturdays performance was the exact opposite. it was traditional english rugby. the Backs aren't quite up to the standard of Greenwood, Cohen and Robinson, but the pack were teriffic, because forwards win rugby matches by setting the platform.
I
Posted 13:02 04th December 2012
APV1 says...
@ Stellenbosched2 - thank you, my friend. I had hoped for something similar from carpelone, but he's obviously so shocked, he's lost the plot.
Mediocrity abounds the SH as we know, so it's no real surprise that the most mediocre and over-hyped team lost.
England for RWC 2015 Champions!
;-)
Posted 11:06 04th December 2012
carpelone says...
Ramage.
Merry Christmas to you and family mate.
Posted 19:04 03rd December 2012
Stellenbosched2 says...
Hi APV1,
I have to ask you- do you think the sensational victory on Saturday was due to the way England played, or was it as a result of the AB's being just.............mediocre?
Posted 18:39 03rd December 2012
heart_of_oak says...
Apologies to NZ and its fans for the comments from Rose Tiger. He speaks for himself. He doesn't speak for England or the English.
Posted 14:56 03rd December 2012
ssssssssss says...
As a loyal ABs fan this tour was a shocker. They got progressively worse each game with their discipline and against England justice finally caught up with them. With over 700 caps these senior players knew better than to carry on with this sort of blatant offending - stamping on heads, head tackle from behind, knocking down opposition ball, hands in the ruck, etc etc.
The try count against England was almost 4:3 to NZ, yet the constant flow of penalties is what cost them the game, well that and some woeful defensive positioning by Carter, Nonu, and Smith. Hopefully McCaw's sabbatical will be long enough for him to study the rule book. Plenty to read over the summer for the team. Thanks England for the wake up call, hopefully we will be better for it.
Posted 13:39 03rd December 2012
Coshie78 says...
I think it is heart warming to see how gracious the NZ fans have been on here and in general. Mirroring their nations players and coaches. No talk of illness or long seasons etc
I do not expect other nation's fans, especially our neighbours and closest rivals', to be happy for England, why would they, but applaud those who have posted positively on here also.
What was great about the performance for me was the collective attitude of the team. It was apparent on the field rather than just in the comments of pre-match interviews.
There seems to be a misconception that all of England now believes that we are now number 1 team in the world and grand slams and world cups are now certain to follow.
I am not and neither is anyone else I know, of this opinion.
I am of the opinion that the guys now have no excuse for poor performances (not losses) and there is still room for improvement.
If the England team can increase the skill level to somewhere near that of NZ and remain as physical as they have been, the consistency should follow.
All the games in the 6N will be hard and they may not go our way, but I just hope this win gives the players the belief that maybe wasn't there to pull through and win the tight games.
It is a great shame that England now have a long wait before their next fixture.
I would love to see re-matches of the last 3 games.
I would not be confident of repeat victory over the ABs, but would love to see how we got against Aus and SA with the team that started on Saturday. We'll never know.
Posted 13:36 03rd December 2012
deprop says...
When Hansen said he wanted the All Blacks to be like Spain I didn't realise he meant the Spanish rugby team.
Posted 12:45 03rd December 2012
Ramage says...
One of the things I will remember about the posts on here about this game by the English fans is ther graciousness of the comments they have made.They must be loving their moment in the sun which has been a long time coming but even more sweeter. Of greater merit is just not the fact they won but the way in which they one. I wonder whether they should be drug tested how can a team that played the way they did against Australia and RSA come out and play such a blinder against the Boks? Absolutely magnificent. The way in which most of yor fans have been humble as victors is to be commended.
Interesting that the only pones to bring a sour note to the comments are the usual Offenders the usual Saffas and now a new one in Rose Tiger whio now is being condemned on al sides and of course the ignoramus georgesmith( why can he pen under such a famous player's name when his post show utter conntempt for tremendous players of all countries. The fact is that his control of the English language is as good as his lack of knowledge about the game and all he can do is abuse better men than he. Wasn't it great to see Nathan Sharpe go out on a high. Not too bad a kick at goal as well .
Once again thanks to the England team for the way they played the game they have earned my respect for the way they played, no loger can England be taken for granted if they play to thatgame plan again. Also my thanks to the English fans who have posted on this site after a great win your fairness is noted and is something I will have to strive for more in any replies I make to the comments on here.
As I am moving very shortly from Perth WA to the Northern Rivers of NSW,within spitting distance of Trinuts 2, can I wish all here a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year, including you Ross. Ka kite ano.
Posted 12:38 03rd December 2012
APV1 says...
Was playing on Saturday afternoon and lost 17 -0. I, as one of our younger players (and it is relative - our oldest is over 60), was older than their oldest. We just didn't have the legs. And then I was out and away on Saturday night, so didn't get to watch this until yesterday evening. But worth the wait.
England did everything we've been crying out for - attacking, passing, keeping ball in-hand, and so on. Fantastic result!
The NZ players just weren't as good on the day.
Why did we parade the EH Shield? Because we so rarely get the darn thing! Why did Ashton dive? Because he scored a try against the best team in the world.
No, one swallow does not a summer make, but it sure is nice to see. We've got a long way to go and it may well be another decade until we beat NZ again, but I'll take the win.
So many gracious and genuine fans posting on this thread - it makes for a great read. There will always be the unfortunate few who try to ruin it but, thankfully, no-one's letting them.
And, having lived in Oz and travelled for many months around NZ, I can say that I rarely met idiots and most were decent folks. Just like most people around the world. We can all claim our fair share of numpties, but let's look past that and enjoy what was an excellent game.
It was a good game - England managed to score 3 tries, for Goodness' sake! And has anyone ever seen Barritt run that fast?!
Official MoM was Wood. On here it seems MT is the most popular. Either way, hats off to all players for a good, clean game (Vunipola will learn and, thankfully, it didn't change the result).
(Compare that to the Bath : Tigers game - 3 reds and a yellow. Boom!)
Bring on the 6N and Lions tour!!!
Posted 11:16 03rd December 2012
powerplay says...
Congrats to England! Well done!!! Haven't seen the game, but maybe a good thing for the abs to lose!? Nothing like a loss to keep your feet grounded! Now enjoy your break, you deserve it!!!
Posted 10:32 03rd December 2012
carpelone says...
Lekker!
Well played to both teams and congrats to England.
Fully deserved win. Uncharacteristic mistakes from AB's stars costed them dearly.
Euskadi, spot on mate. Gracious and competent words.
Four games in as many weeks are too much even for New Zealand.
Posted 08:26 03rd December 2012
makemehappy says...
An amazing and deserved win. So amazing that you can't help feel the AB's really had been ill this week.
Posted 07:50 03rd December 2012
Fatal6ert says...
'It would be great if we could all just enjoy rugby rather than worry about NH vs SH etc all the time.'
Well said Stellenbosched2 - couldn't agree more ; far too much sniping and far too little Rugby on thiese pages. A great spectacle of Rugby on Saturday. Well played to both teams !
Posted 07:18 03rd December 2012
Stellenbosched2 says...
Well played England. Showed plenty of guts and refused to be beaten. To all the genuine rugby fans who have posted on this thread I say your attitudes are what makes rugby the most glorious sport in the world. To those sour losers like Jonesy2 I suppose I feel sorry for them. They must lead very sad lives if so much of who they are is wrapped up in the ability of their team to win every game.
It would be great if we could all just enjoy rugby rather than worry about NH vs SH etc all the time.
Posted 04:57 03rd December 2012
yjmc says...
Savor it while you can pommies...you win one game and you sound like you are best team in the world...yes..England played better on the day and deserves the win..no excuses from us....but you seem to ignore it took you nine years to beat us...and took the performance of the decade for you to beat us...when we beat you the last nine years in a row...it wasn't even our performance of the year...so you know how big the gap is between All Blacks and England is ....until you beat us consistently...you can keep on bragging about this one..coz the next one might not come for another nine years.....haha
Posted 02:09 03rd December 2012
dropkick says...
Probably missed the boat on this one. However here goes. First up Congratulations to the English. A fabulous win playing a great brand of Rugby. First time I have seen a NH team execute an identifiable game plan (French excepted) against ABs for quite literally 10 years. The English took almost every point on offer and that was the key.
What was most impressive is that they held their nerve when the ABs came roaring back and continued to give the pill some air and back themselves to score tries... and lo and behold they can.
Two points in summary. Some real quality at last from England, that display saved what was turning into a pretty dull 2012. And as an ABs fan it showed just how well they have performed for the bulk of the year. As the English themselves know it is very hard to maintain a high level month after month and the ABs have done that for the bulk of 2012.
What the English have done I hope will be a real inspiration for NH sides - anyone is beatable. Enjoy!!!
Post script: can someone have a chat to Chris Ashton.
Posted 01:17 03rd December 2012
IAMpunter2609 says...
Kudos England well played! NZ still comfortably no1 on the planet. To the people calling for NZs vets (conrad, ritchie etc,) to be dropped SMH at you. This was a meaningless test really and im not worried for one second about the abs future. I feel this game was a fluke win for England but they can prove me wrong by pushing on and winning the 6 nations. Im picking France for the 6 nations and to win RWC 2015 BOoF
Posted 23:47 02nd December 2012