CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand: Flyhalf Daniel Carter scored 22 points as New Zealand thrashed England 44-12 in the second rugby Test yesterday, winning the two-match series 2-0.
Carter also scored 22 points in New Zealand’s 37-20 first-Test win in Auckland last week and was equally commanding yesterday, scoring a first-half try, creating another for center Richard Kahui on debut and kicking four conversions and three penalties.
Center Ma’a Nonu, halfback Jimmy Cowan and No. 8 Sione Lauki, who entered the match when All Blacks captain Richie McCaw suffered an ankle injury, added second-half tries to cap a dominant New Zealand performance.
Carter’s seven goals from seven attempts gave him a 100 percent kicking record in the series.
England, who trailed 20-0 at halftime, scored second-half tries by halfback Danny Care and winger Tom Varndell, one of which was converted by replacement flyhalf Ollie Barkley who managed one goal from three attempts.
Both sides lost some shape and combination because of injuries. New Zealand lost lock Ali Williams, then McCaw to injuries in the first half. McCaw’s seemed particularly serious and he may be in doubt for the opening matches of the forthcoming Tri-Nations series with Australia and South Africa.
England lost flyhalf Toby Flood with a shoulder injury in the first half and fullback Matthew Tait with a head injury in the second.
“Especially in the second half the boys came out and played as they were capable of playing,” said Rodney So’oialo, who took over from McCaw as captain. “It’s a big loss when a guy like Richie (McCaw) goes off but the boys kept their heads. “The tight forward worked hard and gave clean ball to the backs and they made good use of it.”
New Zealand turned half chances into tries through strong running and crisp passing. England, outclassed in scrums and beaten at the breakdown, produced little coherent backplay. Too often, they stacked tight forward in midfield and simply tried to grind the ball downfield, playing into New Zealand’s hands.
“We’ve got to give credit to the All Blacks. Whenever they saw an opportunity close to the line they took it,” England captain Steve Borthwick said. “That’s the mark of a great team.
“We had opportunities in the first half but didn’t take them and ultimately that’s what cost us.”
New Zealand led with an early penalty to Carter, then scored its first try through Kahui in the 11th minute after Carter split the England defense.
Carter scored a try from an attacking scrum; a rarity in Test rugby, in the 28th minute and the All Blacks went to halftime in command of the match.
England had two clear try-scoring chances in the first half but botched both when Varndell was driven out in the left corner and Tait lost the ball over the line.
New Zealand’s superiority was pronounced in the second half and they added tries to Nonu, Lauaki and replacement halfback Jimmy Cowan, the last in injury time.
