Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / ENGLISH
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Rugby Union Contents:  Live scores | English | Irish | Scottish | Welsh | My Club | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved

14:14 GMT, Saturday, 21 June 2008 15:14 UK

Matt Dawson's view

By Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half

After watching England's second Test defeat against the All Blacks on Saturday, you have to say that there was a gulf in class between the two sides.

When it came to it and when points needed to be scored, there was only one team - and they were in black.

Tom Rees England played well but when Danny Care scored that try, the next two minutes it was all New Zealand and Ma'a Nonu ended up crossing.

England will know they're now in the history books (after their second- worst margin of defeat by the All Blacks) and they won't be proud of the scoreline, but New Zealand is a tough place to come.

They will look at the performance and know there were signs of improvement from last week.

Certain parts of England's game were outstanding, and I don't think I have ever said that when they have lost by such a margin.

Skipper Steve Borthwick was right when he praised the commitment, the enthusiasm and the desire not to give up.

At times the strategy was pretty good and yet again, England got off to a good start. They had the ball in the right areas.

And other plus points were the outstanding displays from Danny Care, Tom Rees and Luke Narraway.

James Haskell was quiet for the first 45 minutes but he came through and shone like a beacon in the forward pack during the last quarter. And of course there is Mathew Tait, although he unfortunately got injured.

But as Borthwick recognised, the precision wasn't quite there. And in defence, England looked a little bit weak.

606: DEBATE
"That NZ backline is incredible - the speed, pace, intensity, ferocity, handling, decision making - is the best in the world"
DC

Having been part of the last England squad that beat New Zealand in 2003 (even though I was not fortunate enough to play in that game), the physicality of that team was an enormous strength.

In Saturday's match, England were in it for 25 minutes but as the game went on, New Zealand looked so much stronger. They were creating turnover ball and making big hits.

I don't know why that is.

Is it because the season is too long, is it the training regimes, or the fact that New Zealand just have it better down there?

But when was the last time England put 32 points on a big southern hemisphere side in our autumn when they come up with a weakened team?

Matt Dawson was speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live.




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Borthwick admits to Test failings (21 Jun 08 |  English )
New Zealand 44-12 England (21 Jun 08 |  English )
New Zealand v England as it happened (21 Jun 08 |  English )
New Zealand v England photos (21 Jun 08 |  Rugby Union )
England rugby four can leave NZ (21 Jun 08 |  UK News )
New tour code for England players (20 Jun 08 |  English )
England four in NZ assault probe (19 Jun 08 |  UK News )
Andrew salutes England's resolve (14 Jun 08 |  English )
New Zealand 37-20 England (14 Jun 08 |  English )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Zinzan Brooke column
Rugby union on the BBC
Rugby Football Union
NZ Rugby Union
Eden Park
Rugby union weather
BBC Where I Live - England
Your say on English rugby union - 606
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Rugby Union Contents:  Live scores | English | Irish | Scottish | Welsh | My Club | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©