ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

England upset the All Blacks with famous win at Twickenham

BY Grant Constable  ·  Saturday Dec 1, 2012

England shocked the rugby world with a highly impressive performance that blew the All Blacks off the Twickenham turf yesterday. The visitors made uncharacteristic errors and England punshed them, winning 38-21 and ending the 20-match unbeaten run.

While Owen Farrell hit the headlines earlier in the week unexpectedly, on Saturday he made it clear that he’s a force to be reckoned with when given the opportunity. The Saracens flyhalf kicked England to a 15-0 halftime lead, which included a nicely taken dropgoal.

New Zealand fought back to 15-14 through two smartly taken tries and looked as though they were kicking into gear. England didn’t take their foot off the throttle though and responded with two quick tries of their own, effectively holding off the imminent All Black comeback.

“To put that scoreline on an All Blacks side that good is way beyond what we could have asked for, but we’ve had the belief all through the week,” England coach Stuart Lancaster said post match.

Despite losing to the Wallabies and Springboks leading up to this game, England shocked the rugby world with a performance that many fans and pundits are still struggling to get their heads around.

It was England’s record margin of victory over the All Blacks, their highest ever score against them, their first win over them since 2003, and only their seventh in 35 Tests between the two nations.

It was also New Zealand’s first loss since going down to the Wallabies 25-20 in July last year.

“It’s bitterly disappointing. We struggled to get any sort of momentum and England played particularly well – credit to them,” said Richie McCaw. “You’re prepared for a big battle and that’s the way it was, they caught us on the hop. They’re a good team and they took their chances.”

Tomorrow’s Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool Allocation Draw could see England and the All Blacks placed in the same group, as Saturday’s win wasn’t enough to move England into the top four, where New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and France occupy the crucial spots.

England are in the same tier/band as Ireland, Argentina, and Samoa, Wales dropped to ninth in the world following their loss against Australia, so will be alongside Italy, Scotland, and Tonga.

View the full match replay

Time: 2:58
Credit: Post now updated with Official RFU highlights

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 62 WEEKS AGO

    World Cup winner to return after year long...

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Rugby league golden boot star set for huge...

  • 78 WEEKS AGO

    Hurricanes miss the memo as New Zealand clubs...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The Gallagher Premiership is back - A thrilling match at Tottenham

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Sensational score at the Stadio Olympico

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 27 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 27 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 142 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

View All