Sunday, November 30, 2008
New Zealand beat England to cap off Grand Slam success
The achieved the clean sweep without conceding a try, with this win over the English being their biggest winning margin since the 41-20 success of two years ago.
England started off far more competitive than they had been in their previous defeats to Australia and South Africa, but a errors were their main downfall, as they gave away penalties a plenty, and had four players sent to the sinbin.
Dan Carter kicked four out of his six attempts on goal in the first half as New Zealand went into halftime with a 12-3 lead.
England fullback Delon Armitage coolly slotted a pentalty to reduce the deficit to six, but Muliaina went over in the corner with 20 minutes to go a sign of what was to come.
Ten minutes later Carter miraculously chipped the ball in the All Black fullbacks hands for his second try in the same corner. Whether it was a shank or a piece of brilliance, the intention was there and the result was the same.
Centre Maa Nonu scored his third try in three weeks which Carter converted, ending on 17 points despite having a less than impressive day with the boot. His five missed kicks proved inconsequential as New Zealand walked away with a convincing win, once again highlighting why theyre the top side in world rugby at the moment.
Time: 05:01
Posted at 2:10 pm | 39 comments
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Viewing 39 comments
will66 November 30, 2008 7:48 pm
New Zealand thoroughly deserved to win - let's say that first of all. But I thought the reffing was terrible. Only Haskell's yellow card was warranted and even then Brad Thorn actually punched an England player and didn't get binned. Lee Mears got binned for coming into a ruck from an offside position but when McCaw was penalised for the exact same offense later in the game - nothing. This would have been a much better game with 15 vs 15. I still think NZ would have won but England would have been a bit closer...
Anonymous November 30, 2008 7:50 pm
tom croft is an absolute speed merchant!! for nonu's try he came from about 20m behind to almost stopping him..shouldnt have gone for the ankle tap tho cause nonu would still have gotten over..he was close enough to try and wrap him up!!
Cheyanqu November 30, 2008 8:23 pm
what a horrible, horrible game to watch.This game was full of sloppy play at the breakdown, and kickers unable to punish the infractions.I sort of agree with Will66 that Rolland was rather inconsistent. However, it generally seems that the referee favors the team going forward. When a team infringes and has no other flair to offer, the worst is assumed. When a team is ahead and they infringe, it's treated as bad things happen to good people.This is why England got pinged -- they had so little to offer other than killing ball. All Blacks? Well when Richie McCaw does cheat (which he does -- how often is a matter of debate) it's in the context of enterprising play, so it's treated with a slap on the wrist.Hope the WAL-AUS game shows up here soon, that was one for the neutral fan to enjoy.
Anonymous November 30, 2008 8:38 pm
Dull game, glad I watched Wales and Oz, Wales played like the Barbarians at times, great entertainment for the neutral.
Osprey Rich November 30, 2008 9:22 pm
All good flankers cheat, McCaw is very good at not getting caught, just as was Neil Back. He got away with murder. England just out thought and out played.
Anonymous November 30, 2008 10:17 pm
That "McCaw cheats" speech stinks! McCaw is the best number 7, the best captain and a player who really makes the difference, even in the international stage. I "prayed" for the nothern hemisphere teams to win all test-match, but the southern guys were just to strong, and this is the time for countries like England and France to stop and think a little about the game organization and regulations, starting on the number of foreign players on each championship.The english should also think about that ten players game they played for decades, and about the results of it: England simply do not have world class backs. Not since the departure of players like Jason Robinson, Wilko (injured) and Lewsey (why isn't he on the team???).Jonno have a good base of young players to build on, but right now that are just to soft for teams like SA ou NZ.
macrod November 30, 2008 10:20 pm
Oh dear england again, do aggree ref got some decisions wrong yc for flood i thought was a bit tough but once again england playing with not much thought or cohesion and the ab's just playing it simple. Anyone else think carter's chip for try was a mis-kick???? I decided to watch the welsh game, best game of rugby ive seen in a while wales were magic! Andy powell is absolutely awesome a lions definate if he keeps it up.
Nel10 November 30, 2008 11:23 pm
You can watch the Wales vs Australia highlights at www.bbc.co.uk/rugby
Rancid December 01, 2008 12:11 am
Anonymous. The number of foreign players in our domestic competitions are fine.The Southern Hemisphere would do well to follow in our footsteps. But they have no money to buy players, hmm.The skill level of England has little to no relevance to the domestic competitions in Europe.Both France and England knocked 2 of the big 3 SH teams out of the competition in the World Cup.Forget an Autumn test. In the space of a year the European domestic competitions haven't changed much at all, so it's obviously not a reflection on our domestic competitions.The Super 14 wishes it was half as good as any of the top 3 European competitions.
Anarchangel December 01, 2008 1:15 am
Thanks for the offer Rancid, but the Super 14 is happy with being twice as good as any European competition.
Jonathan December 01, 2008 2:11 am
How do you know the ref had a bad game? Becauyse after the game everyone was talking about him!Look England were stuffed by the Boks and the All Blacks. However, the ref in the Bok game was very good and hardly got a mention.The ref in the AB game was pedantic,petty and inconsistent. Not tha it would have affecte dthe result....I just wanted to watch a good game without the ref blowing the whistle every 2 seconds.The yellow card is now be drastically overused.
billybob December 01, 2008 3:11 am
this game was terribly dreary, which is shocking considering the ABs were playing...defensively england at the moment are terrible
K Lu December 01, 2008 3:23 am
Didn't see the game, but watched the quote, unquote highlights afterwards. The whole tour was a bit embarrassing for Northern Hemisphere rugby . . . I'm Welsh so of course I'm happy to see the Aussies go down to SOMEone - and Wales (along with Ireland) were the two most competitive teams from up north, but there's an obvious gap in execution (not necessarily talent) between Wales/Ireland and NZ/RSA. Hopefully this is remedied by 2011!
Anonymous December 01, 2008 6:20 am
I hate people that say McCaw cheats, when honestly you cant be an international flanker if you dont.. ( and it isn't cheating if you dont get pinged =P, which in that case every player cheats+ The ref was terrible, i mean 2 yellow's for minor offences, and 2 for slightly malicious, but i still dont think england would of been good enough with a full team to do much damage anyway
dodo December 01, 2008 8:47 am
i spent half that match shouting at the ref. he was utter crap, 4 yellows for england and none for the AB's??? Haskell - 'foul play' what the hell. give england a fucking chance!and by the way, how can you cheat at rugby? i as an openside myself try to get/protect the ball anyway i can, without getting pinged. McCaw just plays at the limit of the ref, like any player. In this match the ref had it in his head that the ABs couldn't make mistakes like come in from the side, lying on the wrong side of the ruck, and were allowed to punch people, so, if i was an AB thats what i'd do. flood had a shit game, we really need to find another 10... cipriani wouldnt have lasted with nonu (who was awesome) running into him.and sackey needs to be axed.
tai December 01, 2008 8:55 am
McCaws the man. England are shit. Ill rather support ireland and wales any day. By the way im a kiwi
thedannyclayton December 01, 2008 9:02 am
Er whoever said the prem was better than the super 14. What planet are you on?Also McCaw doesn't actually cheat because he isn't called up on it, others get yellows and penalties against them for the same offences though which means either McCaw is too sly to get caught or more accurately (in my opinion) the refs are too scared to call him up on it (ala when England were in the ascendency).English backs from 2000-2003 when they played attractive(ish) rugby could only do that with a steam roller pack. I can't see where England are going to get that power from at the moment...Please sack Sackey, Noon and Wells as soon as fucking possible.
thedannyclayton December 01, 2008 9:03 am
Oh and the swing low at the start did make me quite proud. Shame they can only play a 55 minute game at the moment...
Anonymous December 01, 2008 9:22 am
Anyone else think Lee Mears work rate is insane? he is everywhere, i cant help but think he wishes he was a back :P
Anonymous December 01, 2008 9:28 am
Geez, how about NZ gives England McCaw for either Haskell or Lipman. See if they actually win after that.
No.5 December 01, 2008 10:42 am
2 things.........is it not disrespectful for So'olio or however you spell it, (NZ number 8) to after the Haka, whilst looking at the english team spit? (sorry just going back to the old nonu "staring at us is disrespectful etc...." thing)The other was again on the NZ 8, was that his legs were taped up for lifting, but isnt it actually against the rules now to have lifting "blocks" i thought any kind of ledge was deemed illegal.......only because i got told by a referee in one of our matches, and had to lose my leg hair there and then before the game! ........i could be way out on this one but anyone know for sure?LOL it is funny how people are still convinced that Richie McCaw doesnt cheat....hell the guy is an awesome flanker, and a great player, but he is no angel, its clear for all to see!!! Nonu's try was McCaw not off his feet and on the wrong side?!? Nothing taken from NZ though, they were clearly the better team, and it was not a surprising victory.
Anonymous December 01, 2008 11:06 am
ref saved NZ, they were choking as per usual but ref bailed them out
Jeroen K December 01, 2008 11:37 am
hmmm, McCaw is pretty good. Especially for getting away with constantly walking the thin line. But I must admit I do the exact same thing (did it yesterday, stealing the ball in an 'almost ruck but not just quite yet situation') Lying or persisting to stand on the wrong side must be punished though, by the ref of the players. (yesterday it was me, but we got a penalty against for me beating someone up who was at the wrong side of a maul, luckily they were in their own half)Anyway, let McCaw do his job, but I hope he realizes that he's drawing more and more attention to himself wich is not a good thing as a flanker.
durrie December 01, 2008 11:45 am
Alain Rolland...OMG!!!Players are held accountable for their performance on the field and I don't believe it should be any differant for refs...Rolland should be made to sit down and out by the IRB after that shambles.He showed he has absolutley no ability to read the flow of a game instead choosing to rather blow the whistle as soon as he saw an infringement.It's not easy reffing rugby games...I've tried and it's NOT easy but these guys are the cream of the crop and are getting paid to do this and trained heavily...there is no excuse to be so poor as Rolland was on Sat. I'm glad I didn't pay to go and watch that game on Sat...what a waste of money that would have been...Well done NZ on the Grand Slam...
Flooz December 01, 2008 1:00 pm
sour grapes make english say curious things...i don't see the match and i can't judge alain rolland performance, but u can't say that AB steal their victory.They play entertainement rugby and really deserve this grand slam.I can't wait for 2011 IRB draw and the next north vs south shocks
thomnz December 01, 2008 1:43 pm
No.5: No, the ball had already been scragged and turned over by Read and McCaw drove in to help secure position. Ball already lost when McCaw ends up on the deck. If ball was middle of the ruck, then definate penalty against McCawWill66: McCaw was the tackler and as no ruck had formed, was legally entitled to stand up and grab the ball. If you watch the ref, he actually penalises McCaw for an earlier scrum infringement of not binding with the full arm. You can see when the Ref makes the signal for the penalty offense, he signals 'not binding'. Otherwise McCaw was legal.
ryebye December 01, 2008 2:03 pm
ok just so knowone gets me wrong NZ deerved the win for sure, but OH MY how bad was the ref? im not talking about the yellow cards so much although the real problem with the ref was his total lack of consistency... i wont even start to complaine about his decision making at the breakdown how unconsistant was he?all in all a sloppy but good win for NZ and a better more conpedative game from england but just not good enough.______________________________________________________Anonymous said... Lewsey (why isn't he on the team???).______________________________________________________because his form for wasps has been shocking this season.____________________________________________________dodo said...Haskell - 'foul play' what the hell. give england a fucking chance!_____________________________________________________lets be fair it was haskell's own fault if your going to forarm smash somome at lest make it hurt lol hes justwent in so weak. . . .
Anonymous December 01, 2008 7:46 pm
Flooz it doesn't matter what style of rugby they play, it was 16 v 13 out there with ABs in control of the whistle
Anonymous December 01, 2008 9:53 pm
disgraceful from england.in wake of the debates over whether wales disrespected the haka england go ahead to completely dismiss the tradition with a song which has absolutely no connection to english history (its a negro spiritual sung by american slaves).Deserved a thrashing, johnson is a cock.
Anonymous December 02, 2008 12:03 am
where was the respect for the haka? Does english people have no more respect for rugby tradition, let me say an institution?Like stuff for New Zealand vs Wales, that was disgrace.It seems only the french respect the haka.
ryebye December 02, 2008 1:41 am
with stupid comments like that nowonder you are both Anonymous...Do you even know how the tradition of the english singing swing low started?? if not go have alook at how traditions are started.and can somone please tell why some supporters think that the haka DEMANDS respect? (as stated before i love to watch the haka long may it continue)
Cheyanqu December 02, 2008 2:03 am
Anonymous # 10,567 said, "absolutely no connection to english history (its a negro spiritual sung by american slaves)."Ryebye said, "Do you even know how the tradition of the english singing swing low started?? if not go have alook at how traditions are started."From what I read, English fans started singing the song at a test in 1988 because a player was black.Maybe race relations are different in England, but considering the song's background, it seems it could be a bit insensitive. Reminds me of the opening scene in Blazing Saddles where Lyle asks for a work song -- Camptown Ladies -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMf36qOEMP8Then again, the English have always been good at steering history.
Cheyanqu December 02, 2008 2:53 am
RD,Found Cockerill v Hewitt Haka from 1997... in the context of a Sky Sports Reporthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFhtPocSiJY
Don December 02, 2008 8:01 am
Oh...i hope i wasn't the only one who caught that "Watch out for Ali Williams" comment...lol
ryebye December 02, 2008 1:18 pm
_______________________________Coming into the last match of the 1988 season, against Ireland at Twickenham, England had lost 15 of their previous 23 matches in the Five Nations Championship. The Twickenham crowd had only seen one solitary England try in the previous two years and at half time against Ireland they were 0-3 down. However during the second half England scored six tries to give them a 35-3 win. Three of the tries came in quick succession from Chris Oti, a black player making his Twickenham debut. A group from the Benedictine school Douai started to sing a rugby club favourite the gospel hymn "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" in honour of their new hero, large sections of the crowd joined in._________________________________cheyanqui said...Maybe race relations are different in England, but considering the song's background, it seems it could be a bit insensitive. __where about are you from cheyanqui the US? for me i wouldnt say this is insensitive at all (im english) as the gospel hymn was sung out of respect for his proformance .
Anonymous December 03, 2008 11:39 am
I miss the haka they used at the beginning of the autumn tests - did they dump it already? The one where they had their fists on the ground. Now they've gone back to the ancient one, how come?
Anonymous December 03, 2008 12:23 pm
i dont know, but im sure i read somewhere that they were going to stop or were asked to stop doing the throat slitting gesture while proforming the The Kapa o Pango.. and yet i still see nonu doing it :Sand can i asked one question to any of the NZ guys here, all i ever keep hearing is "tradition,tradition,tradition"and yet in the last few years you have decided to choreograph a diffrent part to the haka? (i inderstand its a diffrent part of the same war dance) but well it just reeks of theatrical nonsens to me.
felix December 03, 2008 8:42 pm
okay re 'tradition' the haka has been associated with NZ rugby for over 120 yrs. i would say that qualifies as tradition. Ka mate is maori and not really rugby related at all. Kapa o Pango is the new one with the fist on the ground. it was written especially for the nz rugby team and references 'the all blacks'. the 'throat slitting gesture' has been modified - it was never meant to suggest that the abs would do that to their opposition and actually represents a drawing of breath - although i grant some of the players did make it too much like a throat slit and i'm glad it was changed.the now 20 yr old swing lows connection to england rugby does have racial undertones. oti is black and some middle class white boys from a public school made the connection to the gospel/slave hymn - although they did sing the anthem for their own first xv too. i've lost patience with people talking crap about the haka being respected - nonu should shut up. we get to perform the haka and should be grateful - the opponents should be allowed to do whatever they want in response - i don't care if they all pull moonies like in braveheart - the abs should just suck it up and if it annoys them then take it out on the opponents during the game.
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