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England ended world champion New Zealand’s 20-match unbeaten run with a stunning 38-21 victory at Twickenham on Saturday.
Tries from Brad Barritt, Chris Ashton and Manu Tuilagi helped England, who had been 15-0 up early in the second half, stave off an All Blacks fightback after the visitors closed to within a point at 15-14.
This was England’s record margin of victory over the All Blacks, surpassing a 13-0 success in 1936 and their record score against New Zealand, beating the 31 points they managed in a 31-28 win in 2002.
It was only England’s seventh win in 35 Tests against New Zealand and their first since 2003.
Owen Farrell may have been a shock choice alongside New Zealand’s Dan Carter as one of four nominees for the International Rugby Board player of the year award, but he outplayed his opposing fly-half in a first half that ended with England, against all pre-match predictions, 12-0 ahead.
In all the 21-year-old kicked 17 points as England ended 2012 on a huge high and ensured New Zealand captain Richie McCaw’s last match before a six-month break ended in defeat.
England’s victory was all the more impressive as it came on the back of defeats by Australia and South Africa.
“To put that scoreline on an All Blacks side that good is way beyond what we could have asked for, but we’ve had the belief all through the week,” England coach Stuart Lancaster told Sky Sports.
“There was a lot of composure at half-time, real clarity of thought, and that’s what’s grown over the last few weeks. We’ve always had the energy and the attitude but today we put the top six inches on.”
Meanwhile McCaw said: “It’s bitterly disappointing. We struggled to get any sort of momentum and England played particularly well — credit to them.
“You’re prepared for a big battle and that’s the way it was, they caught us on the hop. They’re a good team and they took their chances.”
England made just one change from the starting side that lost 16-15 to South Africa at Twickenham last week, with Farrell in for the injured Toby Flood.
New Zealand made three changes from the team that beat Wales 33-10, with Carter in for Aaron Cruden, experienced hooker Keven Mealamu replacing the suspended Andrew Hore, banned for his punch on Welsh lock Bradley Davies, and Brodie Retallick preferred in the second row to Luke Romano.
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