The eventual winners were only four points up at the break (10-4) against an England side who had been reduced to 14 following the dismissal of Simin Shaw in the 10th minute for kneeing an opponent in the back at a ruck.

At that stage England led 6-0 thanks to two Charlie Hodgson penalties and they were showing enough inventiveness to suggest that this was going to be a close run affair.

However, the All Blacks had a few outstanding performers and none more so than full-back Daniel Carter who did supremely well to ground the ball in the tackle when scoring his side's opening try just before half-time. He converted that kick from the touchline and again at the start of the second half he was on target to boot over the touchline conversion of Rokocoko's opening score.

Rokocoko scored his second try ten mintes later, Carter converted again as the All Blacks threatened to run riot.

However, England to their credit, refused to buckle and driven on by Lawrence Dallaglio remained somehow in contention with two Hodgson penalties to leave them trailing by 12 points (24-12) as the game entered the final quarter.

The chance of a tight finish was firmly removed in the 65th minute when Rokocoko gathered an inch-perfect cross-field Carlos Spencer kick to score on the left and Carter's conversion left him with a 100% - five from five - record.

Just before the finish Spencer scored his side's fifth try, the conversion missed by Carter's replacement Andrew Mehrtens.