New Zealand 13 England 15
England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson kicked all his team's points today as theSix Nations Grand Slam champions recorded a momentous 15-13 win over New Zealand.
Wilkinson slotted four penalties and a drop goal to give England only their second test victory on Maori soil.
All Black full-back Doug Howlett scored the game's sole try, running on to a Carlos Spencer tactical kick in the second half.
Although the game rarely flowed, the pace never relented and the tension between the Six Nations champions and last year's winners of the Tri-Nations was evident in several fiery exchanges between the forwards.
England number eight Lawrence Dallaglio had an immense game for the tourists and prop Phil Vickery was prominent in several barging runs after coming on in the second half.
For New Zealand, Spencer showed several touches of individual brilliance but failed with three kickable penalties and the fleet-footed outside backs were kept in check by some determined England defending.
England's best period came midway through the second half with loose forwards Neil Back and Dallaglio in the sin bin. The tourists not only repulsed the All Blacks but extended their lead to six points through Wilkinson's fourth penalty.
Referee Stuart Dickinson sin-binned first Back for handling the ball on the ground in a ruck and a minute later Dallaglio for coming in from the side of a ruck and killing the ball.
The All Blacks were hot on attack at that stage and number eight Rodney So'oialo got over the line but was penalised for making two movements.
Wilkinson had put England ahead 15-6 in the 61st minute and a minute later Howlett scored after Spencer had kicked into the vacant England fullback slot.Howlett beat the gallant Dallaglio to the ball over the try line.
But while England had few chances to score a try, the All Blacks had several snuffed out by the England defence and the tireless work of their forwards, with skipper Martin Johnson in outstanding form.
The teams went to the break 6-6 with Wilkinson and Spencer both kicking two penalties.
Wilkinson was able to increase England's lead with 45th and 56th minute penalties, both tough ones with the wind making judgment difficult.
In the second half the Newcastle scrum-half took advantage of a rare England foray into All Black territory to calmly pot a drop goal.
However, a minute after Wilkinson's strike, Howlett scored and Spencer had 18 minutes to hang on to the slender two point margin.
Teams:
New Zealand- 15-Doug Howlett; 14-Joe Rokocoko (22-MilsMuliaina 73), 13-Ma'a Nonu, 12-Tana Umaga, 11-Caleb Ralph;10-Carlos Spencer, 9-Justin Marshall (20-Steve Devine 48);8-Rodney So'oialo, 7-Richard McCaw, 6-Reuben Thorne (captain),5-Ali Williams, 4-Chris Jack, 3-Greg Somerville, 2-Anton Oliver(16-Keven Mealamu 56), 1-Dave Hewett.
England- 15-Josh Lewsey; 14-Ben Cohen, 13-Will Greenwood,12-Mike Tindall, 11-Jason Robinson; 10-Jonny Wilkinson, 9-MattDawson; 8-Lawrence Dallaglio, 7-Neil Back, 6-Richard Hill(19-Joe Worsley 73), 5-Ben Kay, 4-Martin Johnson (captain),3-Graham Rowntree, 2-Steve Thompson, 1-Jason Leonard (17-PhilVickery 41)