All Blacks vs England

On Saturday the 21st of June, the All Blacks played England in Rugby. The game was being played at AMI stadium, formerly Jade Stadium, in Christchurch. The conditions were pretty good, not much wind and not much rain. I was very happy to see Rodney So'oialo back at Number 8. I was very angry at Conrad Smith being dropped and Richard 'I'm the Man' Kahui replacing him. Conrad Smith played superbly against Ireland and in the first England test. He was on form and they had no reason to substitute him. It was quite irritating because Rory watched the game with me and kept saying how Tom Vardell was going to 'gas' everyone, failing to do so in the whole eighty minutes. There were two big blows to the All Blacks lineup when Richie McCaw and Ali Williams, two players of great quality, class and experience, went off the field early in the game due to injury. Their replacements were Sione Lauaki for McCaw, and Anthony Boric for Williams. I don't think Sione Lauaki should be McCaws replacement, I would much rather have Chris Masoe or Daniel Braid. The try-scorers were Ma’a Nonu, Dan Carter, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Richard Kahui and Adam Thompson

Leon MacDonald – 6/10
Lots of clever touches, several forward passes, not many decisive attacking plays. Best moment was shoving Varndell in touch.

Sitiveni Sivivatu – 7/10
Is obviously over the hill as a finisher, having spoiled his try-a-Test record (now 23 from 24 games). Deadly with Carter in setting up Nonu's try.

Richard Kahui – 8/10
Known as a hard tackler. The bloodied Tait will testify to that. A good sport, showed concern for Tait, and claimed a decent try on his debut.

Ma’a Nonu – 10/10
Matt Dawson said beforehand that Noon is a better attacker. Rubbish. Nonu has proved to be a perfect foil for Carter but a threat in his own right. Great try set up by mate at 10.

Rudi Wulf – 6/10
The latest sensation from the New Zealand wing factory, the debutant showed his clout by charging right over Ojo. Not many other opportunities, though.

Dan Carter – 2/10
He played his usual. I don’t know why New Zealand is obsessed with him. He played poorly under the English pressure. Good try though.

Andy Ellis – 7/10
Execution from five-metre scrum was faultless for Carter's try. He is tough, reliable and gifted, not a bad combination.

Rodney So’oialo – 7/10
Back in his favoured No 8 position, but had one of his quieter games. Upstaged by Thomson.
Richie McCaw – 7/10
Ripped the ball off Mears in the first minute and was his usual high-class self for all of 27 minutes until Flood bent his left leg double when tackling Nonu.

Adam Thomspon – 8/10
Reminds you that New Zealand are a nation of sheep farmers. Woolly-haired flanker was in uncompromising form, put Tait off when a try beckoned, and scored himself on his first start.

Ali Williams - 4/10
Suffered the indignity of being scragged by Tait and thrown to the ground. Hurt in the ensuing breakdown and limped off after only 15 minutes to damage the line-out further.

Brad Thorn – 6/10
His high tackle early on was about as high as he got all game, as the New Zealand line-out plumbed the depths.

Greg Somerville – 8/10
Feted all week for facing down Andrew Sheridan in the first Test. Payne was a puppy in comparison.

Andrew Hore – 5/10
The only problem they do have is the line-out, and that is Hore's problem. Solid enough in the tight, the hooker had a nightmare, again, finding his jumpers.

Neemia Tialata – 8/10
Was tearing into Stevens in the press all week and made his life uncomfortable on the pitch as well. New Zealand do not have many front-row problems.

Mathew Tait – 7/10
Decked Williams, threw try away, set up Varndell for his, then the clearest definition of a hospital pass spelt goodnight. But overall he had a good night.

Topsy Ojo – 7/10
Did not have two tries to show for his second Test, but still made progress. Lousy kicking, but otherwise good on the ball. Did feel the full force of the Wulf once.

Mike Tindall – 6/10
How long does he have left? Willing and brave, but when the battering ram is knocked back by Kahui, where does that leave him? And another yellow card.

Jamie Noon – 5/10
Picked to beef up the midfield, then missed his man as Carter danced through. Not his fault, but he needs a sparkling 10 and 13 to make him shine.

Tom Varndell – 6/10
Could have had two tries. Was squeezed out in the left corner before going over in the right. We did not see very much else, though.

Toby Flood – 6/10
Looked OK at 10 for a while. His kicking was decent until he put it down Sivivatu's throat. Was hurt in stopping a certain Kahui try and was off after half an hour.

Danny Care – 7/10
Some players look the part, and Care is one. Too inclined to chip in tight corners but scored a sharp try, and didn't celebrate much. Nice touch.

Luke Narraway – 7/10
Showed up well early on. Does not look like he is a presence but keeps nudging forward. Too quick to go to ground though, and Carter made him pay.

Tom Rees 8/10
He is well and truly back after his World Cup exclusion, and is getting better. Strongand smart at the breakdown, canny positioning. Came off very early.

James Haskell – 8/10
When he learns a bit of Dallaglio's nous, he will be even better. Never took a backward step, took several forward, and will have earned some Kiwi respect.

Steve Borthwick – 6/10
Never stopped urging his men on, and will feel satisfied with the line-out return. Will feel satisfied with his big hit on Hore too, but maybe not too much else.

Tom Palmer – 7/10
Johnson-esque steal at the front of the line-out should have got more reward. Palmer ruled the jumpers and put himself about.

Matt Stevens – 6/10
His problems are England's problems. Cannot be as dynamic in the loose as he is with Bath as England are often too static. Had no luck with Tialata either.

Lee Mears – 7/10
Some say he is too small to be a Test hooker. But better to be small and good than big and not. Did his job throwing in and is good on the ball. A forward step.

Tim Payne – 5/10
Big ask to fill in for Sheridan. Even the big man struggled last week. So did Payne. Pinged for stamping and for taking it down. Ponderous in the loose.