Allblack Machine Rumbles On

No real surprises with the result this time round. Even though the Allblacks managed to score ten times the number of points as the Romanians, it was still an entertaining match to watch.

New Zealand managed 13 tries. The first was from Sitiveni Sivivatu after 38 seconds! Another five came before the half-time whistle, the last one of the half from Aaron Mauger [right]. In the meantime, Marius Tincu, Romania's Hooker, had managed to grab a try for himself, and good for him!

After the break, the try-fest continued. Isaia Toeava grabbed himself two tries - the first and last of the innings. Joe Rokocoko [left] also grabbed another pair, giving him a hatrick in the game.

Romania's substitute Florin Vlaicu managed to pot another three points after 72 minutes - at least they weren't nulled by the Allblack steamroller.

New Zealand's Fullback Nick Evans was on good form with the boot, potting six conversions. Luke McAlister managed four - both two excellent backups for Dan Carter.

So yet again, the Allblacks have proved they have strength in depth. Now they head to Cardiff for their quarterfinal having scored a maximum 20 points in their pool, with a wapping points difference of 274! Australia also topped their group with 20 points, but their PD was only 174 - a marked difference from the Allblacks.

A Blackwash

So the mighty All Blacks came and squashed all before them at Twickenham. England suffered their biggest defeat on home turf by going down 20-41 to New Zealand on Bonfire Night.

[It all looks promising (above) as the boys line up to face the Haka (below)]


What went wrong for England? Well, I didn't actually think they played really badly, they just didn't clean up as well as the ABs - any mistake and they make you pay, usually with 7 points! We gave away five penalties but scored as many tries as they did - unfortunately, ref M. Jutge didn't quite see it that way and disallowed Jamie Noon's perfectly good first try. The Ref's boss agreed it was a try after the match. Plus Dan Carter's boot rarely let him down - so the penalties were made to count.

Merde, as they say.

As for the newbies; Shaun Perry looked good at No. 9, and scoring a try on your debut ain't bad either. He and replacement Pete Richards both looked more lively than I've seen say, Harry Ellis, in an England shirt recently. I hope they can both make a go of it - a rivalry like the one between Dawson and Kyran Bracken could only be good for the Scrummies, I say.

Paul Sackey burned up the turf when he got the ball. Not often enough, sadly. And Anthony Allen did OK too - even though it was his wayward pass that gifted Joe Rokocoko a try. Let's face it, if it wasn't Allen, it probably would have been someone else! And he was certainly making and taking plenty of big hits, even on guys twice his size. Brian Ashton was pleased with the new guys , at any rate.

The front row boys, Sheridan, Chuter & White (sounds like a dodgy car-dealership!) are usually renowned for their dominance up front, but Messers Woodcock and Hayman were shoving as good as they got - and often better.

From memory, I don't think the lineout was too shakey; Ben Kay and Danny Grewcock seemed to have that mostly sewn up. Pity they couldn't steal a few more though. Lewis Moody chased round the pitch after everything, as usual! BBC Sport gives them all points out of ten.

I've plenty more photos from the game at rugbypix.com.

So next weekend, we have the Pumas. Another team who will give us a run for our money. Look how they held off the Lions to a draw last year. It was only Jonny's last-minute penalty that saved face at the Millennium Stadium.

I'm not going to that game, but will be along to see Sarries vs Leicester in Watford on Sunday. Will report back later!