ENGLAND crashed to their heaviest defeat for six years as the All Blacks launched Graham Henry's coaching reign in scintillating fashion at Carisbrook.

The world champions were run ragged during a rampant first-half display by New Zealand that produced tries for wings Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett, together with fly-half Carlos Spencer.

Trailing 30-3 at the break, there was no way back for a shell-shocked England side, who sorely missed World Cup heroes Jonny Wilkinson and Martin Johnson.

It was England's worst loss since New Zealand crushed them 64-22 - also in Dunedin - during the 1998 so-called `Tour from Hell' when Woodward travelled with a hugely under-strength squad.

And, after being beaten by Six Nations champions France 11 weeks ago, it was the first time for 46 Tests that England had suffered back-to-back defeats.

Those statistics will hurt Woodward but not half as much as an abject performance at New Zealand rugby's House of Pain.

England arrived at Carisbrook, knowing that only the Lions and Australia had successfully stormed New Zealand's Dunedin fortress during the past 99 years.

The All Blacks had won 28 and drawn one of their previous 32 Tests on a ground which was packed to its 40,000 capacity.

And England never remotely threatened to dent that sequence, as the wheels came off their World Cup chariot in spectacular fashion.

Apart from the first-half try blitz, England also conceded 21 points to All Blacks goalkicker Daniel Carter, who landed eight kicks - five penalties and three conversions - from eight attempts.

And Woodward now has a Herculean task on his hands to restore morale ahead of next Saturday's second Test in Auckland.

Weakened

England arrived on New Zealand's South Island minus more than a dozen World Cup squad members.

The absentees included Wilkinson, Jason Robinson and Phil Vickery, yet England still boasted a combined cap tally of 500-plus, giving them a considerable edge on experience over their opponents.

That counted for nothing when it came to the crunch though, as New Zealand dominated every key area and reduced even talismanic England players like skipper Lawrence Dallaglio, flanker Richard Hill and scrum-half Matt Dawson to mere mortals.

The tiredness of a 40-week plus season was all too evident yet that can be no excuse for an England effort that lacked organisation, cohesion or creativity.

Woodward made seven changes, including Josh Lewsey's positional switch from wing to full back as replacement for Robinson, following the defeat against France in Paris.

There were starts for wing James Simpson-Daniel, centre Mike Catt, fly-half Charlie Hodgson, prop Julian White, lock Simon Shaw and flanker Chris Jones, with Hodgson also handed goalkicking duties on his return to Test rugby after a 16-month absence.

There was an immediate warning of what might lie ahead, when Rokocoko caught Hodgson's kick and ghosted through some half-hearted tackling on a 40-metre run until England hauled him down.

South African referee Jonathan Kaplan then issued a warning to England lock Danny Grewcock, who was sent off on England's solitary previous Carisbrook appearance six years ago, and All Blacks prop Carl Hayman.

England couldn't get their hands on the ball, and spent a lengthy spell defending prior to Carter slotting a sixth-minute penalty from 25 metres.

England's first spell of pressure - quality lineout ball following a Catt touchfinder - ended with them gaining a first penalty chance that Hodgson duly accepted from 30 metres on 13 minutes.

Back came the All Blacks, though, and they cut England open with ease just two minutes later.

Dawson's kick was charged down, enabling New Zealand to spin possession wide at pace. Spencer fed Howlett, then looped around behind him to claim a quality try that Carter converted from the touchline.

The game, despite some attacking flurries from Rokocoko, took a while to settle, but England offered little in attack, losing many 50-50 encounters, and it was no surprise when they fell further behind.

New Zealand's backs had far too much pace and invention for their opponents, and crisp passing unlocked England's defence as Rokocoko beat three red rose defenders for his 13th Test try.

Carter again added the extra points, while Shaw was warned for punching All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu, a blow that forced New Zealand's front-row forward off for treatment.

New Zealand required no second invitation to take a grip again and, after Lewsey spilled a steepling kick, they gained an attacking scrum 10 metres out.

England could not cope as possession was spun quickly wide, and full-back Mils Muliaina sent Howlett clear for a third try, again converted by Carter.

Pulled away

It was damage-limitation for England, and Carter's second successful penalty made it 27-3, and then he added another three-pointer before the break, giving England a mountain of Everest proportions to climb.

Woodward made a double half-time substitution, sending on Wasps flanker Joe Worsley for Jones and replacing Grewcock with his Bath colleague Steve Borthwick.

The horse had long since bolted, though, and England were clutching at straws.

Hodgson made a clever break but, just when it looked like Cohen would capitalise on his adventure, All Blacks lock Chris Jack snaffled possession and the chance went begging.

England just weren't in contention at the breakdown, being out-muscled in that key contact area, and with New Zealand knowing that the game was won, there was a degree of formality about proceedings.

On the day, England were distinctly ordinary, and New Zealand left them trailing in their slipstream.

Tweet