'All Blacks have backbone'
Sat, 29 Nov 2008 21:05
New Zealand coach Graham Henry praised his side's character after the Tri-Nations champions rounded off their Test year by securing a grand slam with a 32-6 win over England here at Twickenham.
Saturday's victory meant the All Blacks had defeated Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England without conceding a try and had won five Tests in as many weekends after seeing off Australia in Hong Kong before heading to Europe.
Two tries midway through the second-half from full-back Mils Muliaina and one from centre Ma'a Nonu provided the platform for New Zealand's record winning margin at Twickenham.
New Zealand were only 12-3 ahead at the break but, as in their other Tests this month against the Home Nations, they powered away after half-time.
This victory, the All Blacks' 13th in 15 Tests this year, would have been greater had not normally reliable outside-half Dan Carter missed five of his 11 goalkicks.
England though helped render those errors all but meaningless by having four players sin-binned as they spent nearly half an hour down to 14 men.
"We showed a lot of character in the first half, hung in there and then dominated in the last 20 minutes.
"That proves the backbone of the team. The guys have won all of the trophies available to them this year."
England, particularly in a first-half where they prevented New Zealand scoring a try, did at least improve their performance during last Saturday's record-breaking 42-6 home loss to world champions South Africa
"England played with a lot of character," said Henry. "They put a lot of pressure on us, were huge physically and tried exceptionally hard."
The former Wales coach said England manager Martin Johnson could take heart from the way a youthful side had come back from their Springbok reverse.
"There are not a lot of caps in that team and they will get better," he said.
AFP
