England v New Zealand QBE Int., Post Match Thoughts

England went down in the record books this day, defeating the All Blacks in some style and also halting their unbeaten run of games.  This was the All Black's heaviest ever defeat to a European side, it also was the worst defeat to a British team, including England’s first victory, 13-0, in 1936. Prior to Saturday, England had won only six times in the series, the last time being Wellington June 2003.

QBE Autumn International

England v New Zealand

Hilary Shield Match

Twickenham 1st December 2012

Captain Chris Robshaw celebrates winning the Hilary Shield- All Pictures Empics

Now I will hold my hands up and say I fully expected to be writing that we had lost to the All Blacks as I really thought we would be beaten.  So I apologise for my lack of faith.

England came out today looking like a totally different team, it was wonderful to watch.   I have to admit as I watched and the first penalty went to the All Blacks and Dan Carter stood up to take it .......  I said to my mum (84years) 'here we go this is the beginning of the points fest for the All Blacks' - so I decided to up sticks and go to check up on my uncle (68years) and when I got there I was surprised to see England up by 3 points.   They then got another penalty and went to 6 points up!  Again I said to my uncle come on let's walk the dog as I know what will happen with this match.  By the time I got home England were 38 to 14...... I was gob smacked.  So sure was I that we would get beat this day, I could not face watching.......... how wrong I was.

Fortunately however, I knew I would be watching the whole game later that night as I had recorded it all - Phew!! pleased the Sky Box worked. 

Chris Ashton dives in for a try during the QBE International at Twickenham

What a pleasure it was to sit and watch a match you know you have won, to relax and appreciate how the defensive line was working, the lineout, the scrummaging, the Swallow dive TRY (I still wish Ashton would not do that though), the Try's, Drop goal, it was so wonderful to watch.  In the end I was totally speechless, so happy to see England play as they did and take the Hilary Shield which was well deserved.

England's Brad Barritt goes over for a try & mobbed by his team mates after scoring  

England's Manu Tuilagi runs in for a try  and   England's Tom Wood on the charge

England seemed to be everywhere on the pitch today and with speed, they were upon the All Blacks to stop them playing, which really rattled them.  This produced numerous mistakes unusual for the All Blacks. England kicked to the All Blacks daring them to counter and it worked a treat, what a joy to behold this historic game was.

England's Tom Youngs prepares to throw in in the line out  and brother  Ben Youngs beats two tackles

So good to see the young players starting to come on and feel comfortable and at ease in the surroundings of a 86,000 HQ crowd who also played their part in this game.   I thought Farrell played well and Burns when he came on, it must have been a bit nervy for him but he stepped up to the plate and slotted the goals.  Everyone played well today only one slight downer the sin bin.... but he will learn.

Englands Owen Farrell (top) celebrates with his team mates

Have England turned a corner, well yes but they will have to produce this sort of game again and again and especially in the Six Nations, which is only a couple of months away.  Can't wait now can you?

Match Facts:

England (12) 38: Goode; Ashton, Tuilagi, Barritt, Brown; Farrell, B Youngs; Corbisiero, T Youngs, Cole, Launchbury, Parling, Wood, Robshaw, Morgan.   Replacements: Joseph for Tuilagi (66), Burns for Farrell (64), Care for B Youngs (68), Vunipola for Corbisiero (66), Paice for T Youngs (72), Wilson for Cole (72), Lawes for Launchbury (66), Haskell for Morgan (57

Try: Barritt, Ashton, Tuilagi Cons: Farrell Pens: Farrell 4, Burns 2, Drop-goal: Farrell  Sin Bin: Vunipola (74).

New Zealand(0) 21: Dagg; Jane, C Smith, Nonu, Savea; Carter, A Smith; Woodcock, Mealamu, O Franks, Retallick, S Whitelock, Messam, McCaw, Read.  Replacements: B Smith for Dagg (71), Cruden for Carter (64), Weepu for A Smith (64), Crockett for Woodcock (66), Coles for Mealamu (62), Faumuina for O Franks (52), Romano for Retallick (48), Vito for Messam (63).

Tries: Savea 2, Read - Cons: Carter 2, Cruden

New Zealands players perform a haka before the QBE International at Twickenham Stadium