The All Blacks’ identity appears crisis is over. In a brutal, clinical and decisive third quarter, the world champions showed why they are the best side on the planet, scoring three tries and effectively settling the match.
England, who had led at the interval, were blown away, gasping, grasping and, even though they salvaged pride with two tries in the final nine minutes, the sobering reality is that New Zealand have a gear that is beyond England at the moment.
The switch was flicked and the pyrotechnics began. Son et lumière with studs on. It was breathless stuff, gripping and uplifting, and the series is now beyond England.
A marker has been laid down for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. A win in the third Test in Hamilton next week will bring the All Blacks level with a record mark of 17 successive Test victories.
England were rueful as well as chastened. Of course, the history books will show the narrowest of defeats. The reality was less comforting. The scoreboard flattered them, even if they were good value for their 10-6 lead at the break.
England could not finish off their chances when it mattered. They had their moments, but were not sharp enough or fast enough to take them. They were guilty of getting suckered into New Zealand’s fast-and-loose style, keeping it on the move at all costs. England went for miracle passes and it cost them.
It is not their way, or not all the time at least. They were frantic and rushed rather than measured and potent. Once the fireworks started, they needed someone to douse the flames.
England’s kicking was poor. They did not exert any real pressure from it.
Danny Care and Owen Farrell, the England half-backs, did not have their happiest of evenings. Care looked particularly out of sorts, duffing kicks and lacking his usual snappy edge round the base. Their game management and decision-making when it all went harum-scarum was also awry. Sometimes, you simply need to belt the ball deep into opposition territory. The thud of boot on leather was rarely heard.
However, the All Blacks were far from clinical, the way they finished off the game suggested that they should have won the match comfortably, but were unable to land that knock-out blow.
New Zealand still demonstrated that they struggle to get their groove on when good spoiling tactics are used. If New Zealand don’t get their fast ball, they struggle.
The question still lingers, has the All Blacks aura been smashed?
All Blacks secure the series with a 28-27 victory.
