LIVE: England v New Zealand – from Twickenham

LIVE: England v New Zealand: Follow all the action at Twickenham as it happens

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UPDATED:

15:59 GMT, 1 December 2012

England are looking to bounce back from two devastating defeats at the hands of Australia and South Africa at Twickenham to end the Autumn Test series on a high.

It'll be far from easy though, as the fearsome All Blacks are on the crest of a wave having brushed a depleted Wales team aside last week. Follow Sportsmail's live coverage here.

ENGLAND 25 NEW ZEALAND 14

England: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Mike Brown, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Alex Corbisiero, 2 Tom Youngs, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Geoff Parling, 6 Tom Wood, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 8 Ben Morgan.

Replacements: 16 David Paice, 17 Dave Wilson, 18 Mako Vunipola, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 James Haskell, 21 Danny Care, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Jonathan Joseph.

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Tony Woodcock, 2 Keven Mealamu, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Liam Messam, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 8 Kieran Read.

Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Victor Vito, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Ben Smith.

62min: TRY! ENGLAND 32 New Zealand 14

He's deserved a try. Manu Tuilagi intercepts Kieran Read's slack pass and bursts clear. Mike brown protects him from Sam Whitelock and he jogs over the line before laying the ball down!

Farrell is back in the points too, and coolly converts!

That's already England's highest ever score against an All Blacks side.

58min: TRY! ENGLAND 25 New Zealand 14

WOW! England have the ball in a non-threatening position. Until Tuilagi gets it that is! He makes Dan Carter look like a child as he bulldozes through the No 10 and leaves him for dead.

Tuilagi wait just long enough for Chris Ashton to overlap before releasing the wing.

Ashton is celebrating before he gets to the line. He performs an exaggerated swallow dive and gets the ball down! Unbelievable!

Farrell misses his second kick in a row though.

57min: Just when I though the tide was turning. New Zealand looked rampant but Lancaster's men showed they can play some slick rugby too.

Farrell was involved again but Tuilagi and Barritt looked unstoppable!

54min: TRY! ENGLAND 20 New Zealand 14

Top class from both England's centres. Farrell finds Brad Barritt whodrives forward to pop the ball to Tuilagi.

Manu looks like he'll go alone but he flicks the ball back to Barritt who gets the ball down. What a response!

Farrell hits the crossbar from the conversion and misses. No one's perfect.

52min: TRY! England 15 NEW ZEALAND 14

Jane and Dagg were fantastic for that try. They slice through the England defence before Dagg lays the ball to Conrad Jones who barely touches the ball to lay it into Kieran Read's grasp.

All he has to do is put the ball down. Carter converts again to put them within a point. A devastating five minutes!

50min: New Zealand look up for it now. Cory Jane isn't the biggest, but he's so strong. He sidesteps two England men before holding off another and laying the ball on.

They are throwing the kitchen sink at England now…

48min: TRY! England 15 NEW ZEALAND 7

They've finally got points on the board. Julian Savea shows quick feet at colossal upper body strength to blast his way through and get the ball down.

They convert too to cut the lead even further.

47min: A bit of a scrap after the play stops. Cory Jane breaks brilliantly on the right and is stopped illegally.

New Zealand have a line-out near the try-line after Mike Brown has to be dragged away to prevent a brawl.

45min: Cue a booming chorus of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot! What an atmosphere. This is a test of the All Blacks' resolve now.

43min: PENALTY! ENGLAND 15 New Zealand 0

Owen Farrell is putting them to the sword. England are out of reach of two converted tries as it stands.

I thought the All Blacks would come out flying. Instead, they've gone further behind!

42min: Another penalty for England! Can Farrell notch up another three England went at the All Blacks in the scrum well and won a deserved penalty.

Farrell could put England out of sight…

15.34: KICK-OFF! OWEN FARRELL GETS THE MATCH UNDER WAY AGAIN

15.29: We're surely likely to see an improved New Zealand showing in the second half, but Richie McCaw will be gutted with the dismal display so far.

He'll want to avoid signing off for six months without slumping to defeat.

15.27: Here's a nice little stat too: New Zealand haven't had a scoreless first half since 1998.

15.25: I'm not sure who would have predicted this. I certainly didn't. There was a lot of talk about whether England could sneak a win over Steve Hansen's team, but as it stands, they are comprehensively beating the All Blacks.

40min: PENALTY! ENGLAND 12 New Zealand 0

He makes it! It's some way out, but he hits it straight and true. With that the half-time whistle goes and the mighty New Zealand look like a shell of the team who beat Wales last week.

They've got it all to do in the second half.

40min: It's almost half-time but Farrell has the chance to kick another three. New Zealand gave a penalty away which the 21-year-old will be looking to take.

Perfection: Owen Farrell kicked England into a 12-point lead in the first half

Perfection: Owen Farrell kicked England into a 12-point lead in the first half

Battle: England drive against the All Blacks

Battle: England drive against the All Blacks

38min: DROP-GOAL! ENGLAND 9 New Zealand 0

Guess who scored the points Owen Farrell finds himself in acres of space after some neat ball play. Rather than going for the try, he makes a great call and kicks for goal.

The ball sails between the posts and England look like they are going in at half-time with a comfortable lead.

36min: Carter rescues New Zealand from a certain try! Manu Tuilagi is released and appears to be clean through. But Carter, who is far slighter than Manu, reaches back to drag him down to earth.

Tony Woodcock tries to burst through

Tony Woodcock tries to burst through

34min: PENALTY! ENGLAND 6 New Zealand 0

Owen Farrell gets his second penalty of the game. The robust defence of England is rewarded as the No 10 kicks them into a six-point lead.

31min: Excellent defence! Lancaster's men are exceptionally well organised. They are so well disciplined and force a knock-on from the All Blacks. I didn't expect this at all!

30min: New Zealand are out of sorts, but England are defending brilliantly. Dan Cole shunts his way through the pack to fairly dispossess the All Blacks. But the ball comes straight back at them… it's all hands on deck now!

27min: MISS! New Zealand should be level! Dan Carter has missed his second attempt too! Ben Morgan gives away a needless penalty and it should be 3-3 but Carter fades it wide of the left post. Awful effort for a man of his standing in the sport. England won't be complaining, of course.

Gotcha: Joe Launchbury takes the ball

Gotcha: Joe Launchbury takes the ball

26min: PENALTY! ENGLAND 3 New Zealand 0

Yes he can. The No 10 has been quite in play so far, but he held his nerve and kicks over the posts with ease. It was a much harder kick than Carter's too!

25min: England are way on top at the moment! Ben Morgan and Alex Goode show exceptional hand speed to manouvre the ball over to Ashton. England have a penalty at a tight angle! Can Farrell bag this one…

23min: What did I say about rattling Aaron Smith He dwells on the ball for eons and is charged down when he tries to kick.

22min: That was soft by England. They were driving the ball in an advanced position but didn't get the ball out in time. The referee warns them to 'use it now!' but no one gets it out. Penalty to New Zealand.

Up for it Piri Weepu during the Haka

Up for it Piri Weepu during the Haka

20min: Ben Youngs just roughed up Aaron Smith after play had stopped. Not to advocate foul play, but that may not be a bad idea to get under his skin a little.

Moments later, England have a penalty at the scrum.

18min: England are enjoying more of the ball now. New Zealand are making a few mistakes which is unlike them.

Lancaster will want his team to strike soon because he won't expect the All Blacks to be below par for the entire 80 minutes.

16min: MISS! Dan Carter misses his first penalty attempt of the Test. It's pretty far out but it is under the posts. He'll be disappointed with that. Boos ring around the ground for Carter. Not sure if that's necessary at all.

13min: Brown almost makes a breakaway. New Zealand finally get some ball going but McCaw, of all people, gives a loose pass which the wing latches onto.

He can't quite control it to break away though, and knocks it on. We've got a scrum now.

11min: It's pretty scrappy so far. A few needless penalties from either side.

But this will suit England for now. They'll be happy in the scrum and will look to drive before making the breakaway.

10min: England are forced into some defending now, but they are making New Zealand work.

In the end, the All Blacks uncharacteristically show some impatience and Jane gives away the penalty.

7min: There's some great pressure from England. Again it's Brown who takes the initiative. He charges down Israel Dagg who is forced into an ugly kick – handing England possession. Great start.

6min: Brilliant effort from Mike Brown on the left wing. He pulls away from two All Blacks players near his own try line.

Cory Jane was left in his wake and Farrell is able to clear any danger.

4min: It's a promising start from England though. The crowd are rampant and you can't help feeling these Lancaster's players are going to need that if they are to come out on top.

2min: It's early days but Farrell and Goode have already kicked a couple of duds. Both efforts were no way near hitting the turf and were gobbled up by the New Zealand backs.

KICK-OFF! The match is under way

14.32: England players are now standing with their arms linked staring down the All Blacks players as they perform the Haka.

Manu Tuilagi has a smile on his face as he eyeballs Dan Carter and Co. England's players were backed up by the partisan crowd singing loudly, drowning out the Haka.

14.31: The English national anthem God Save The Queen rings around Twickenham! What an atmosphere. Can Robshaw's men get an upset, or will the All Blacks cruise to another win.

14.29: That's interesting! Chris Robshaw's partner Camilla Kerslake is leading New Zealand's national anthem!

Her father is a New Zealander I suppose…

14.27: England are wearing purple tracksuit tops, but luckily we're clad in traditional white again. Let's hope it's a good omen.

Intimidating: New Zealand perform the Haka

Intimidating: New Zealand perform the Haka

14.25: The atmosphere is building with the stands filling up. The teams are about to come out of the tunnel before the anthems, the Haka, and some top class rugby.

14.23: We're a few moments away from a big, big test for this England team. Barring the expected win against Fiji, the loss to a vulnerable Australia would have hurt Lancaster, Robshaw and Co.

But a win against the mighty All Blacks would change their perspective a little.

14.16: The captains of both sides will be looking to put in a sensational performance this afternoon.

Chris Robshaw had a tough call to make at the end of the Springboks' visit to Twickenham, and wound up making the wrong one.

The fearsome Richie McCaw wants to go off and rest his body and mind for six months. Before that, he'll be looking to leave England's Test series in tatters.

Speaking of McCaw, Ma'a Nonu described his captain as a 'superhero' because of his incredible talent and leadership. He's good, Ma'a, but that may be going a little too far.

14.13: The Test starts in just over 15 minutes. Before that we can look forward to one of the great sights in any sport: the Haka. Coming eyeball to eyeball with that must be daunting for youngsters like Owen Farrell and Ben Youngs.

Let's hope they rise to the challenge!

14.05: So can this young England side pull it off The current crop of All Blacks players have been touted as the best team they have ever produced, but recent results aside, England haven't been too shabby under Stuart Lancaster.

They have the home crowd, the hunger to make their mark, and world class players like Chris Ashton and Manu Tuilagi to rely on.

Former New Zealand international Sean Fitzpatrick told Sportsmail why he thinks the All Blacks will take this one by 15 points. Let's hope he's wrong.

Warm welcome: Ma'a Nonu arrives at Twickenham

Warm welcome: Ma'a Nonu arrives at Twickenham

Ready Stuart Lancaster leads his team to take on New Zealand

Ready Stuart Lancaster leads his team to take on New Zealand

14.00: Not to worry anyone. But Dan Carter has a more than impressive record against England.

The No 10 has played nine and won nine. He's simply a joy to watch and has an incredible understanding of the game.

Far from being a one-man team. All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw is planning a six-month sabbatical after this Test. The most capped New Zealand captain ever will surely be looking to go out with a bang. We have been warned.

Eyes on the prize: This young All Blacks fan awaits the world champions at Twickenham

Eyes on the prize: This young All Blacks fan awaits the world champions at Twickenham

Come on England: Fans enjoy refreshments before the game

Come on England: Fans enjoy refreshments before the game

13.55: There really aren't any easy games when you get to Test level rugby, but this is going to be tough for England.

Disappointing performances against Australia and more recently South Africa have come under pretty intense scrutiny. Now is the final chance in the series for Stuart Lancaster's men to prove they can mix it with the big boys.

Who better to fit that bill than the world champions New Zealand

Crunch time: Chris Ashton (left) and Dan Carter (right)

England v New Zealand: All Blacks hit by vomiting bug as Dan Carter returns

All Blacks hit by mass vomiting bug ahead of clash with England as Carter returns from calf injury

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UPDATED:

09:43 GMT, 29 November 2012

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has claimed that a 24-hour bug has hit his world champions as they prepare to play England on Saturday at Twickenham.

Hansen said only two of the 30-strong group had not suffered from 'diahorrea and vomiting' in the past week.

He said: 'It’s been a difficult week because a lot of guys have been sick with diahorrea and vomiting.

All clear: New Zealand's Dan Carter will start against England at Twickenham on Saturday

All clear: New Zealand's Dan Carter will start against England at Twickenham on Saturday

NEW ZEALAND SIDE TO FACE ENGLAND AT TWICKENHAM

I Dagg; C Jane, C Smith, M Nonu, J Savea; D Carter, A Smith; T Woodcock, K Mealamu, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, L Messam, R McCaw (capt), K Read.

Replacements: D Coles, W Crockett, C Faumuina, L Romano, V Vito, P Weepu, A Cruden, B Smith.

'So getting the mix right in training
has been difficult. Hopefully, we have been smart enough to keep the
tanks full to play well.

'I think there has been only two players who have missed out. It started in Wales and has just continued.'

No 8 Kieran Read said he was feeling a
lot better and added that he had spent his day off on Wednesday having a
'guided tour of his bathroom.'

Hansen said he thought the bug was a
24-hour problem and did not expect the problem would damage New
Zealand’s performance on Saturday when they are trying to extend their
unbeaten run to 21 games.

New Zealand have named a team
including ace fly half Dan Carter despite the No 10 missing last week’s
win over Wales due to a calf problem.

Carter is expected to start alongside veteran hooker Keven Mealamu who has been called in to replace the suspended Andrew Hore.

Smiles better: Carter had to watch New Zealand's win over Wales from the stands

Smiles better: Carter had to watch New Zealand's win over Wales from the stands

Haven't we been here before

New Zealand still blame their 1995 World Cup final loss to South Africa on an illness that struck their squad on the eve of the match.

Kiwi conspiracy theorists believe the Springboks poisoned them.

Hore has been banned for five weeks after he was cited for punching Wales lock Bradley Davies.

The hooker has apologised for his
offence which knocked out Davies and left him concussed. He has to
regain full fitness and may not play for another two weeks.

Hansen also issued an apology and
added: 'The ban is what we expected. We don't want to see that in the
game and although we love Andrew, we didn't love what he did.

'The intent was to do something
else but he got it drastically wrong. As a result of that he hit the man
on the chin and knocked him out.

'You don't want to see that in the game. He was embarrassed, we were embarrassed. Our thoughts were with Bradley Davies.

'Andrew has played 300 first class
games and not made that mistake before so clearly he's not a dirty
player. But in this instance he's made a poor decision and has paid for
it.'

Wales 10 New Zealand 33: All Blacks show dark side

Wales 10 New Zealand 33: All Blacks show dark side as shocking attack puts Davies out

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UPDATED:

21:51 GMT, 24 November 2012

A resounding defeat for Wales featured the worst excesses of the All Blacks inside the opening minute as Kiwi hooker Andrew Hore launched a shocking, cowardly assault on Bradley Davies – putting him out of the game before he had even touched the ball.

It marked the start of an afternoon in which little went right for the Welsh. An autumn international season which they had hoped would set out the foundations of their World Cup campaign has become a depressing and desperate, injury-strewn trudge.

Battering ram: All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock scores a try

Battering ram: All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock scores a try

Match facts

WALES: Halfpenny, Cuthbert, J Davies, Roberts, L Williams, Priestland, Phillips, James, Rees, Jarvis, B Davies, Charteris, R Jones, Warburton, Faletau. Replacements: Owens, Jenkins, Andrews, Shingler, Tipuric, Knoyle, Hook, S Williams.

NEW ZEALAND: Dagg, Jane, C Smith, Nonu, Savea, Cruden, A Smith, Woodcock, Hore, O Franks, Romano, S Whitelock, Messam, McCaw, Read. Replacements: Coles, Crockett, Faumuina, Retallick, Vito, Weepu, Barrett, B Smith.

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Their bravery was never in question
but decision-making was poor and composure was shattered by an All Black
side who showed both the merciless best and thuggish worst of their
nature.

While Wales's injury problems were
severe before the game, with 10 first-choice players out, the total
became a dozen within a minute of the start.

Davies made his way off, dazed and
stunned, after a disgraceful short-arm smash thrown from behind by Hore,
whose tour should now be ended by the citing officer.

Just as damaging to Welsh hopes was
the departure of Aaron Jarvis, who twisted a knee at the breakdown,
forcing an unwanted change in the Welsh front row. Welsh decision-making
became scrambled.

Flashpoint: All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore's clash with Bradley Davies (above and below) put the Welshman out of the match

Flashpoint: All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore's clash with Bradley Davies (above and below) put the Welshman out of the match

Flashpoint: All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore's clash with Bradley Davies (above and below) put the Welshman out of the match

Two kickable penalties were swiftly
spurned, the All Blacks defending the first touch kick with ease and
Rhys Priestland wastefully sending the second dead.

Aaron Cruden, playing after injury
ruled out Dan Carter, made no mistake with his penalty to give New
Zealand a ninth-minute lead.

Eight minutes later a Welsh transgression allowed Cruden to double the lead, while Jamie Roberts limped off.

Crunch time: Hore takes one in the face as he is handed off by Jonathan Davies

Crunch time: Hore takes one in the
face as he is handed off by Jonathan Davies

Easy: Liam Messam scores for New Zealand

Easy: Liam Messam scores for New Zealand

When Sam Warburton was wrongly
penalised, allowing Cruden to add a third kick after 22 minutes, the
Welsh would have been forgiven for wondering if it was just not their
day.

And four minutes later, Julian Savea took advantage of a forward pass which went unseen by referee Craig Joubert.

Challenging times: New Zealand players perform the Haka

Challenging times: New Zealand players perform the Haka

The All Blacks surged down the left
flank before moving the ball wide, allowing flanker Liam Messam to cross
in the opposite corner.

Cruden's fourth kick built a 16-point gap. Seven minutes from half-time, it was as if all Welsh composure finally departed.

Jonathan Davies made a beautiful break and Liam Williams carried the ball deep into All Black territory.

He earned a penalty, only to watch
Priestland float a second effort for touch straight over the dead-ball
line, wasting both position and opportunity.

Ticking over: All Blacks fly-half Aaron Cruden kicks at goal

Ticking over: All Blacks fly-half Aaron Cruden kicks at goal

The All Blacks then demonstrated the
difference between the two sides in terms of execution. Cruden prodded a
penalty to touch before Sam Whitelock claimed the line-out and fed Tony
Woodcock.

The prop crashed over and Cruden added the conversion which sent the Welsh in at half-time 23 points down.

A further Cruden penalty followed before, in the 48th minute, defeat began to develop into a full-blown drubbing.

Israel Dagg twice cut through the
Welsh defence and the ball was recycled at lightning pace, allowing lock
Luke Romano to score in the corner.

Consolation: Alex Cuthbert scores for Wales

Consolation: Alex Cuthbert scores for Wales

Cruden stroked over his seventh kick from seven.

Eventually, by committing everyone to
a line-out and driving Scott Williams over from five yards, the Welsh
got themselves on the board.

When Cory Jane was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, Welsh fortunes seemed to be turning.

If James's departure brought brief
optimism, the All Blacks' professionalism ensured the door stayed as
tightly shut as the stadium roof.

After the home side horribly squandered an overlap, the ball spent most of James's absence under All Black control.

Wales did eventually claim a
consolation score three minutes from time, after fine handling from
Scott and Liam Williams sent Alex Cuthbert diving into the corner.

It was little more than the Welsh
deserved in a contest which was decided by fine margins, all of which
fell the way of the All Blacks, and a moment of inattention from the
referee.

Wales should have been playing against 14 men for 79 minutes.

Leigh Halfpenny's conversion faded and slipped wide of the target – acting as a symbol of his side's disappointing afternoon.

Dan Carter misses Wales v New Zealand with leg injury

Carter forced out of All Blacks team for Wales showdown after suffering leg injury

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UPDATED:

17:34 GMT, 23 November 2012


Superstar: All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter

Superstar: All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter

Dan Carter has been ruled out of the New Zealand team for tomorrow’s Test match against Wales in Cardiff.

The fly-half Carter will be replaced by Aaron Cruden, with Beauden Barrett joining the replacements’ bench.

Carter, who has won 93 caps, suffered a leg injury during All Blacks training at the University of Glamorgan yesterday.

In nine appearances against Wales he has scored 162 points and never been on the losing side.

There has so far been no official confirmation from the All Blacks camp surrounding his withdrawal.

Carter, though, has Tweeted a picture of All Blacks training inside the Millennium Stadium this afternoon. In the same post, he said: 'Gutted not to be playing with these boys in this stadium tomorrow'.

Wales rocked by George North blow for New Zealand clash

Crisis-hit Wales rocked by North blow for New Zealand clash

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UPDATED:

23:35 GMT, 22 November 2012

Wales suffered a huge setback when winger George North was ruled out of Saturday's Test against New Zealand with a hip injury.

North, 20, suffered the injury in
training on Tuesday and his Scarlets colleague Liam Williams, who won
his only cap against the Barbarians in June, will take over on the left
wing.

Injury blow: Wales' George North

Injury blow: Wales' George North

North has scored 11 tries in his 25 Tests for Wales, and is one of the main attacking threats for the Six Nations champions, who are looking to get back on track after starting their autumn campaign with demoralising defeats to Argentina and Samoa.

Williams, who won his one and only Wales cap to date against the Barbarians in June, has impressed for the Scarlets so far this season, but in his preferred position of full-back.

Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde believes Williams is ready to face the All Blacks, saying: 'We are well aware of the threat George poses but we are fortunate to have someone like Liam, who has performed consistently well for the Scarlets, to fill in for him.

'One thing that is evident whenever he puts on the shirt for the Scarlets or for Wales is he is full of life, does not take a backward step and gives as good as he gets.'

The All Blacks could have their own injury problem with reports that fly-half Dan Carter suffered a leg or groin injury during yesterday's training session at the University of Glamorgan.

According to website www.stuff.co.nz Carter appeared in immediate discomfort and changed training bibs with Aaron Cruden during a shortened work-out because of bad weather.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was asked before training if Carter was carrying an injury and Hansen emphatically replied: 'No'.

Cruden would be the obvious replacement if 93 times-capped Carter is sidelined, although there has been no official comment from the All Blacks camp.

Carter has scored 162 points in nine appearances against Wales, while the All Blacks, who are unbeaten in 19 Tests, conclude their autumn tour against England at Twickenham on Saturday week.

Injury cut short his World Cup campaign last year, but the All Blacks still lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy after they lost Carter during the competition's pool stages.

Italy 10 New Zealand 42: Match report

Italy 10 New Zealand 42: All Blacks beat Azzurri into submission in Rome

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UPDATED:

17:53 GMT, 17 November 2012

New Zealand were made to work hard in Rome before completing an ultimately comfortable win over battling Italy.

The All Blacks led only 13-7 at half-time, with Kieran Read's try drawing an Italian response through Alberto Sgarbi.

But second-half tries by Ma'a Nonu, Cory Jane and two for Julian Savea gave the scoreline a lop-sided look as Italy's resistance dissipated in the final quarter.

Over you go: Julian Savea scored two tries for New Zealand as they beat Italy in Rome

Over you go: Julian Savea scored two tries for New Zealand as they beat Italy in Rome

New Zealand had to wait 13 minutes for their first points, which came courtesy of Aaron Cruden's close-range penalty.

But their first try followed soon afterwards when a fast-flowing move ended with Conrad Smith scooping up a loose ball and sending number eight Read over. Cruden converted and soon added his second penalty.

A promising position for Italy slipped away when Mirco Bergamasco could not find Tommaso Benvenuti but they came again and their pack set up a first Test try for centre Sgarbi. Luciano Orquera converted.

A crucial tackle from Bergamasco, helped by Simone Favaro, prevented Hosea Gear going over in the corner as Italy stayed in touch at the interval.

Fearsome: Ma'a Nonu and the All Blacks eventually won the match comfortably

Fearsome: Ma'a Nonu and the All Blacks eventually won the match comfortably

Come here! Liam Messam is pursued by the Italians

Come here! Liam Messam is pursued by the Italians

But a deliberate knockdown after a brave goal-line stand allowed Cruden to extend the lead five minutes after the restart and wonderful passing then sent Nonu barrelling over for his side's second try. Cruden's routine kick made it 23-7.

The Azzurri enjoyed a spell of attacking field position and Orquera's drop-goal took them into double figures.

But as they sought to build up a head of steam, their handling became sloppy and knock-ons twice checked their momentum.

And having battled so hard, they allowed replacement Jane to stroll in far too easily and put New Zealand out of reach at 30-10 with 11 minutes to go.

Luke McLean was credited with first contact on a bouncing ball to deny Cruden a try but Savea dived over in the left corner shortly afterwards, despite losing a boot in the build-up.

Cruden missed for the first time but strong running from Jane sent left-winger Savea coasting in behind a tired defence for a converted score to make it 42-10.

Crunched: Leonardo Ghiraldini made his best effort to stop Hosea Gear (right)

Crunched: Leonardo Ghiraldini made his best effort to stop Hosea Gear (right)

Scott Higginbotham banned for two matches for striking

Wallabies forward Higginbotham ruled out of England clash after two-match ban for striking

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UPDATED:

12:59 GMT, 22 October 2012

Australia forward Scott Higginbotham has been banned for two matches after admitting two charges of striking New Zealand captain Richie McCaw.

Higginbotham has been ruled out of the Wallabies next two Tests against France on November 10 and England on November 17.

Higginbotham was charged by SANZAR with kneeing and head-butting McCaw during Saturday's Bledisloe Test match in Brisbane which ended in an 18-18 draw.

Banned: The back row forward will miss the games against France and England

Banned: The back row forward will miss the games against France and England

He faced a SANZAR hearing on Sunday night after he was cited twice under Law 10.4(a) Punching or Striking. Both incidents occurred in the 26th minute of the game, with the 26-year-old pleading guilty to both counts.

Having reviewed the case, duty Judicial Officer Jannie Lubbe SC assessed the penalty for each charge to be two matches, but ruled Higginbotham could serve the suspensions concurrently, meaning the forward was only ruled out for half the games in the four-match tour of Europe.

In making the decision, Lubbe said he took into account the fact both incidents were categorised as low-level offences, with McCaw unhurt by either hit.

Close encounter: Higginbotham attempts to charge down a kick from Aaron Cruden in Saturday's match

Close encounter: Higginbotham attempts to charge down a kick from Aaron Cruden in Saturday's match

Lubbe also considered the fact it was Higginbotham's first appearance before the judiciary and that he and McCaw both shook hands after the match in an indication there was no ill-feeling between the players.

Higginbotham will be able to play again against Italy on November 24 and Wales on December 1.

Higginbotham's availability will come as a major boost for the injury-hit Wallabies, who will be without skipper James Horwill for the entire tour due to complications from a hamstring injury.

Stephen Moore (hamstring) and Berrick Barnes (punctured lung) have been cleared to return to the side for the tour, but coach Robbie Deans has ruled out Quade Cooper, Will Genia and James O'Connor.

New Zealand 60 Ireland 0: All Blacks smash record with nine tries

New Zealand 60 Ireland 0: All Blacks smash record with nine-try trouncing

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UPDATED:

09:54 GMT, 23 June 2012

Twenty five minutes of genius from fly-half Aaron Cruden ensured an All Blacks whitewash over a spent Irish team as the world champions ran up a record 60-0 victory at Waikato Stadium.

A brace of tries from Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Cane broke the back of Ireland's challenge with the match effectively over as New Zealand led 29-0 at half-time.

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Drubbing: New Zealand ran in nine tries in Hamilton

The home side started the livelier of the two sides with the offloading prowess of Williams providing an ever-present danger.

The All Blacks tested the Irish left to right as referee Roman Poite
overlooked a forward pass by Williams before Cruden's delightful flick
pass set up Cane for his first international try.

Cruden stepped up to add the extras despite the best efforts of Keith Earls to distract.

The Chiefs fly-half combined with his Super Rugby team-mate Williams again after only 12 minutes with a superb flick pass.

Sonny side up: Williams was in outstanding form

Sonny side up: Williams was in outstanding form

Sonny side up: Williams was in outstanding form

The centre bounced off Fergus McFadden and raced free to touch down with Cruden once again adding the extras.

Irish No 8 Peter O'Mahony was pulled up soon after for being offside at a ruck but Cruden's penalty was left and wide.

That was the only bright point of the opening 20 minutes as Cruden once again combined with Williams for a score.

Bad day at the office: O'Driscoll appeals against Kearney's sin-binning

Bad day at the office: O'Driscoll appeals against Kearney's sin-binning

The diminutive No 10 fed his inside centre, who stepped inside Paddy
Wallace and bounced through Dan Tuohy to dive over for his second.
Israel Dagg kicked the conversion.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll then squandered position as Ireland made their first meaningful foray into the All Blacks half.

His team harried to get the ball back but when Wallace failed to find
O'Driscoll in midfield, Cruden raced free and tossed up a pass that Ben
Smith took at full gallop and touched down in the right corner. Dagg
missed the conversion as Cruden left the pitch for treatment.

Black wave: Ireland try in vain to halt another attack

Black wave: Ireland try in vain to halt another attack

Rob Kearney did well to hold onto an Earls pass at full pace before New Zealand were penalised for going off their feet.

With three points not enough to make a difference on the scoreboard,
Ireland went for the five-metre scrum but scrum-half Aaron Smith stole
possession and kicked clear.

Poite sent Kearney to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on as the All Blacks swarmed down the right flank.

Good hands: Cruden offloads to set up Williams' first try

Good hands: Cruden offloads to set up Williams' first try

Beauden Barrett, on for the injured Cruden, marked his debut with a penalty that made it 29-0 at half-time.

Four minutes into the second half Liam Messam burst through two tackles and fed the supporting Aaron Smith.

Joining the party: Sam Cane (above) and Israel Dagg (below) dive over for their tries

Joining the party: Sam Cane (above) and Israel Dagg (below) dive over for their tries

Joining the party: Sam Cane (above) and Israel Dagg (below) dive over for their tries

The scrum-half's offload bounced off Cane's chest but the flanker
gathered the looping ball and dived over under the posts. Barrett
chipped the conversion over.

Left wing Hosea Gear then scored the All Blacks' sixth try. He outpaced
McFadden and delivered a crunching forearm into Earls' face before
dragging the trailing McFadden over the tryline with him.

Barrett's conversion missed but Steve Hansen's men led 41-0 after just 51 minutes.

Five minutes later Cane fed a charging Messam who dived over.

Sour note: Ireland had performed well in the second Test

Sour note: Ireland had performed well in the second Test

Williams the took a pass on the halfway line and sized up his options
before releasing Dagg down the right with a perfectly judged grubber
kick.

The full-back evaded the chasing Earls and touched down, with Barrett landing the extras.

Replacement Adam Thomson raced clear for a try after great work from
Luke Romano and Barrett in a build-up that left Poite and half the Irish
team sprawling on the turf.

Barrett's successful kick made it 60-0 and left the tourists deflated at the whistle.

Dan Carter out of New Zealand"s clash with Ireland

New Zealand ace Carter ruled out of Ireland finale with hamstring injury

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UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 20 June 2012

New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter has been ruled out of Saturday's third and final rugby union Test against Ireland with a hamstring strain as coach Steve Hansen makes six changes to the starting side pushed to the brink last week in Christchurch.

Carter will be replaced by Aaron Cruden. Canterbury Crusaders lock Luke Romano has been named to start his first Test in Hamilton on Saturday.

Dan and dusted: Carter has been ruled out of New Zealand's clash with Ireland

Dan and dusted: Carter has been ruled out of New Zealand's clash with Ireland

Steve Hansen names All Blacks" squad to face Ireland

Hansen turns to young blood as he picks All Blacks' squad to face Ireland

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UPDATED:

09:16 GMT, 14 May 2012

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has omitted wingers Zac Guildford and Hosea Gear from a 35-man squad for training camps ahead of the All Blacks' three-test series against Ireland in June, but thrown a lifeline to misfiring backs Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu.

Hansen, who took over from Graham Henry in the wake of the All Blacks' World Cup triumph, has included 21 of the players that helped clinch the Webb Ellis trophy on home soil.

Cut: Zac Guildford has been omitted from the New Zealand squad

Cut: Zac Guildford has been omitted from the New Zealand squad

He also picked a slew of uncapped youngsters to inject fresh blood into an ageing squad.

Julian Savea, who has helped spark the Wellington Hurricanes' revival in the Super Rugby competition this season, has been named as one of only three specialist wings in the squad, along with World Cup-winners Richard Kahui and Cory Jane.

'He's been someone that was earmarked a long time ago to be good enough as a player of a World Cup,' the 53-year-old Hansen said.

'He's playing with a lot of confidence as is the whole Hurricanes team … That confidence is allowing him to showcase what he has got.”

New Zealand squad

Charlie Faumuina, Ma'a Nonu, Keven Mealamu, Piri Weepu, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brodie Retallick, Ben Tameifuna, Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barrett, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Conrad Smith, Victor Vito, Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Tamati Ellison, Andrew Hore, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Adam Thomson

One of Gear and Guildford, who generated headlines in the offseason with a drunken, naked episode in a Cook Islands nightspot, may yet be handed a reprieve with Richard Kahui injured.

The powerful 26-year-old came off with a dislocated shoulder during the Chiefs' 42-27 loss to the champion Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Sunday and faces a long spell on the sidelines.

Hansen showed he was not immune to sentiment by naming outside centre Nonu and scrumhalf Weepu.

Both have struggled since crossing from the Hurricanes into an Auckland Blues side that has proved a colossal disappointment with only two wins after 12 weeks of the season.

The pair turned in solid performances in the Blues' win over the cellar-dwelling Lions over the weekend, but Hansen called on Weepu to lift his game.

Weepu will jostle with Canterbury Crusader Andy Ellis, and rookie scrumhalves Aaron Smith of the Otago Highlanders and the Waikato Chiefs' Tawera Kerr-Barlow, at the three-day training camps in Auckland next week and Wellington on May 27-29.

Mixed bag: Steve Hansen has picked a number of uncapped youngsters as well as 21 World Cup winners

Mixed bag: Steve Hansen has picked a number of uncapped youngsters as well as 21 World Cup winners

'Obviously Piri's got a few questions marks around him with the way he's been playing,' said Hansen, who will trim the squad to 30 on June 3, ahead of the first test against Ireland in Auckland on June 9.

'We've had a sit-down with him and made it pretty clear what our expectations are of him and he's got to meet those expectations by the end of the last camp otherwise he won't be considered for selection.'

Sam Cane has been preferred to Matt Todd as captain Richie McCaw's stand-in at openside flanker, while loose forwards Brad Shields (Hurricanes) and Luke Whitelock (Crusaders) will also get a chance to impress.

The Chiefs' towering 20-year-old Brodie Retallick has also been included along with fellow uncapped lock Luke Romano, while Hurricanes flyhalf Beauden Barrett will prepare alongside Aaron Cruden and Dan Carter.

Carter has struggled to recover from a troublesome groin injury that ruled him out of the latter stages of the World Cup and has been starting at inside centre in recent weeks for the Crusaders, relinquishing kicking duties to flyhalf Tom Taylor.

Still the world's best New Zealand lifted the Rugby World Cup when they hosted the tournament in 2011

Still the world's best New Zealand lifted the Rugby World Cup when they hosted the tournament in 2011

Hansen said the ploy would not be repeated at national level. 'If he starts for the All Blacks, it'll be at 10 in the June series,' Hansen said of Carter.

Hansen defended his youthful, extended squad while conceding a number would be unlikely to see international action this season.

'We do have a large amount of the squad getting near 30 or plus-30. Over the next one to four years we're going to have to make some changes.

'We feel that at some point (the younger players) will don the All Blacks jersey and why not bring them in and let them experience the huge expectations and the feelings that go in that camp.'