You are in > manchester.com  > News > All Blacks dominate new-look England

Rugby Union

All Blacks dominate new-look England

14/06/2008

New Zealand have beaten a young and relatively inexperienced England side 37-20 in the first Test between the two sides in Auckland.

Converted tries from Conrad Smith, Dan Carter, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu, as well as three penalties from Carter, ensured the hosts ran away with victory.

London Irish winger Topsy Ojo, on his international debut, scored a brace of tries but both were little more than consolations as the All Blacks exerted their dominance.

England started well and took a 6-3 lead as Olly Barkley slotted two penalties, with Carter replying for New Zealand.

However, Carter - who was, as usual, the creative spark in every cohesive All Blacks move - kicked through for Smith to score and then grabbed a superb try of his own to establish a clear advantage.

Ojo notched his first ever England try on his debut - an interception just before the interval - to cut the gap to 23-13.

After the break, though, England struggled to keep pace with the physicality of the All Blacks, both up front and among the backs.

And when Muliaina and Sivivatu both crossed the whitewash, thanks both times to the hard work of Ma'a Nonu, the game was all but over.

Ojo's second try added a degree of respectability to the scoreline but the game was demonstrative of how inexperienced and under-strength this travelling England side is.