adminLONDON – New Zealand survived an England fightback to make it 13 wins out of 13 this year with a 30-22 victory at Twickenham on Saturday. The world champions, for whom this win atoned for their shock 38-21 loss at Twickenham nearly a year ago, led by 14 points as early as the 17th minute.
But England recovered to lead 22-20 heading into the final quarter.
However, Julian Savea then scored his second try of the match- the wing’s 18th in 19th Tests – and the All Blacks saw the game out to keep alive their hopes of a perfect calendar year heading into their final match of 2013 against Ireland in Dublin next weekend.
For 2015 World Cup hosts England, defeat meant they ended their November campaign on a losing note after wins over Australia and Argentina but there was plenty of encouragement for coach Stuart Lancaster in his side’s performance against the self-styled “most dominant team in the history of the world”.
An enthralling first half saw New Zealand race into a 17-3 lead but the All Blacks were just 20-16 ahead come half-time.
By then New Zealand star fly-half Dan Carter had gone off injured in his 100th Test.
It took New Zealand fewer than two minutes to score the first try of the match through Savea.
Ma’a Nonu’s well-judged chip ahead set up a New Zealand line-out five metres from England’s line.
All Blacks No. 8 Kieran Read then twice did brilliantly to set up Savea’s score.
First he took a poor pass from McCaw that bounced in front of him and then delivered a superb inside ball to Savea that took out three covering England defenders.
Savea strolled over and, with international record points-scorer Carter kicking the conversion, New Zealand were 7-0 up.
Minutes later England were on the scoreboard when fly-half Owen Farrell kicked a 45-metre penalty.-Supersport.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter