All Blacks maintain winning streak
Despite an England fightback, New Zealand make it 13 victories out of 13 this year
New Zealand survived an England fightback to make it 13 wins out of 13 this year with a 30-22 victory at Twickenham on Saturday.
The world champions, for whom this win atoned for their shock 38-21 loss at Twickenham nearly a year ago, led by 14 points as early as the 17th minute.
But England recovered to lead 22-20 heading into the final quarter.
It was a cracking test between two committed teams. It’s going to be a heck of a week, but tonight we will celebrate Dan Carter’s 100th test
However, Julian Savea then scored his second try of the match – the wing’s 18th in 19th tests – and the All Blacks saw the game out to keep alive their hopes of a perfect calendar year heading into their final match of this year against Ireland in Dublin next weekend.
For 2015 World Cup hosts England, defeat meant they ended their November campaign on a losing note after wins over Australia and Argentina, but there was plenty of encouragement for coach Stuart Lancaster in his side’s performance against the self-styled “most dominant team in the history of the world”.
“The guys have been believing in themselves,” said New Zealand captain Richie McCaw.
“We focused on getting down there and getting the points. It was a cracking test between two committed teams. It’s going to be a heck of a week, but tonight we will celebrate Dan Carter’s 100th test.”
