2 Dec 2012

Record win for England over All Blacks

7:17 am on 2 December 2012

England has scored a famous 38-21 victory over the All Blacks at Twickenham.

The victory not only ends the World Cup holders' 20-match unbeaten run, it's England's highest-ever score and record winning margin over the New Zealanders.

Strong defence and the boot of Owen Farrell had England 12-nil ahead at half-time, Farrell slotting three penalties and a drop-kick, while Daniel Carter missed two penalties.

The hosts led 15-0 soon after, before two quick tries to All Blacks Julian Savea and Kieran Read opened things up.

England were stunned into action and replied with their first try to No.12 Brad Barritt, which went unconverted - then a Manu Tualagi burst was finished by wing Chris Ashton but again unconverted.

Tualagi then nabbed an intercept try which Farrell did convert before his replacement Freddie Burns added two more penalties.

Savea crossed again to make the scoreline more respectable.

Elsewhere Australia edged Wales 14-12 in Cardiff, with Kurtley Beale scoring all the visitors' points with a try and three penalties.

The loss means Wales will be confirmed in the third band of directly qualified teams for the Rugby World Cup 2015 draw on Tuesday.

The Welsh went into their final Test of 2012 ranked seventh but in the knowledge that defeat against Australia would see them fall below Samoa and Argentina to ninth.