New Zealand scored 13 unanswered second-half points to beat an improved England side 19-6 in the rugby Test at Twickenham on Saturday.
The home team mostly matched the visitors and trailed by just three points until All Blacks scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan touched down in the 57th minute.
Flyhalf Dan Carter converted for two of the 14 points that took him ahead of Andrew Mehrtens as New Zealand’s all-time leading scorer,and he completed the scoring with a late penalty.
“We were happy to get the win here at Twickenham and it’s never easy,” Carter said. “We’ll take that but work on the errors during the week.”
Jonny Wilkinson scored two penalties for the English who competed well but were still short of inspiration in midfield.
England have now completed the November Test schedule, but New Zealand face France next weekend before rounding off the tour with a match against the Barbarians.
Having already beaten Wales and Italy, the All Blacks have won three games without conceding a try.
“Defensively, we’re very sound,” Carter said. “It’s something to be proud of for the boys.”
England boss Martin Johnson lamented his side’s lack of breaks in midfield.
“Midfield is an area that’s very congested and there’s a lot of very powerful players,” he said.
“Creativity does not jump out and give you breaks in midfield. Both sides had opportunities today and didn’t take them.”
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