15 Ben Smith 9/10

Plenty good, superb even. The try was the least of his achievements. Lethal with the ball and that tackle on Tuilagi may have saved the match.

14 Cory Jane 5/10

Horrible first half. Just could not hold on to the ball. Looking at a 2 at that point. Held on to ball in second half — and look what happened.

13 Conrad Smith 7/10

Brilliant, if not always in an obvious way. Decision-making immaculate. Out-thought his more physical opponent and a couple of telling tackles.

12 Ma’a Nonu 8/10

He is pretty obvious in his brilliance. Lost his opposite number early on, but otherwise comfortably superior. Jinked his way to a classic try.

11 Julian Savea 8/10

Completes the department where NZ won the game — from 11 to 15. Made England hurt whenever the ball came his way.

10 Aaron Cruden 5/10

Mixed afternoon. But one of many All Blacks who do not let that worry them when the moment presents itself. Key figure in their first try.

9 Aaron Smith 5/10

Another unafraid of the half-chance. Spark created a crucial try but too many errors for more than a 50% pass mark — and that only just.

1 Tony Woodcock 5/10

Scrum better than first Test, though penalised, perhaps harshly, in second half. Otherwise nothing to report – which is not meant as a good thing.

2 Dane Coles 6/10

Played his part in that improved scrum and was neat at lineout. Busy around the field in attack and defence. Better than week before.

3 Owen Franks 6/10

Pretty solid all round, forcing a penalty out of Marler at scrum before half-time. Then grew into it in loose with the rest of his team-mates.

4 Brodie Retallick 8/10

Conceded early penalty, but after that had a fine game. Main lineout target and a menace in contact. Won the loose ball to set up NZ’s first try.

5 Sam Whitelock 7/10

Very good. Nicked a lineout early on, then won a penalty à la McCaw in first half. Ruled the restarts in the second.

6 Liam Messam 3/10

Nothing came off for him, though not always his fault. Twelvetrees cut inside him, he spilled the ball. Horrible pass to him in space summed up his luck.

7 Richie McCaw 6/10

At half-time his game was in the balance, but he turned it round. Might not dominate the way he used to, but always at or around the ball.

8 Jerome Kaino 7/10

More slow-burning than his rival, Kieran Read, but the heat is no less painful for that. Fearsomely strong in contact and a nice pair of hands as well.

Replacements: Beauden Barrett for Cruden 51; Keven Mealamu for Coles 60; Wyatt Crocket for Woodcock 65; Charlie Faumuina for Franks 65; Victor Vito for Messam 63; Patrick Tuipulotu for Retallick 77; TJ Perenara for A Smith 77