England 6-19 New Zealand

IT'S the hope that kills you. Yesterday, finally, Twickenham had some hope. Not much, but just enough to dare to dream.

With a quarter of the match left this was a three-point ball game with the All Blacks leading 9-6 and 82,000 fans holding their collective breath.

Then, in a flash, New Zealand were out of sight.

In one razor-sharp blindside move, the All Blacks showed just what England are missing with an instinctive piece of interplay that saw Richie McCaw put Jimmy Cowan over for the decisive score.

By contrast, on the rare occasions Martin Johnson's men came close to cracking the All Blacks defence, the final pass went astray or the opportunity unspotted. Jonny Wilkinson was at fault on more than one occasion.

Moments after Cowan's score, Wilkinson received the quick ball he craved all autumn after James Haskell's charge. But rather than trusting his backs to finish off a sweeping move, England's fly-half checked back inside and reverted to type.

Almost unbelievably he MISSED the simplest of dropped goal efforts and all hope was lost.

England manager Jonno said: "We won last week and lost this week but everyone seems to be happier losing.

"There are mixed feelings. I'm not saying we should have won the game but we could have been in it with 10 minutes to go.

"The score at the end was too much to climb. Our composure in their 22 was not good."

England, stung by the fierce criticism that followed last week's dire win over Argentina, at least showed some attacking intent for the first time this autumn.

They played with the passion and fire that had been in such embarrassingly short supply seven days before.

Breakdowns were attacked with the ferocity demanded and the ball was put through the hands, although with limited success.

Johnson added: "It's been a tough week with all the criticism flying around.

"We were angry with some of the criticism but also angry at ourselves for the performance last week. It's a self- inflicted thing. If you play well you don't get the criticism.

"The guys can be proud of that performance today but ultimately it was a missed opportunity."

But it will not erase the memories of another painful November that has seen England make little obvious on-field progress - despite Johnson's protests otherwise.

The stark fact is that England scored just ONE try in three games.

This was not a vintage New Zealand side but they still looked composed and dangerous whenever they attacked.

Their passing was crisper and their decision making more incisive.

Wilkinson said: "We got ourselves in so many positions to score but we lacked the aggression to get over the line. We're starting to get our shape. It's about getting accustomed to each other and knowing what we want to do together - that will come."

If that cohesion and shape is to come, Wilkinson must be prepared to take the ball to the gain-line more aggressively.

Carter, who endured a rare off day in front of goal, gave his opposite number a lesson in what to do with quick ball.

JUMP - Steve Borthwick wins the line-out

Ugo Monye said during the week that he, and England, could not possibly play any worse than they had against the Pumas. He was, mercifully, right.

Skipper Steve Borthwick enjoyed his best game for England while Mark Cueto produced a highly accomplished display at full-back.

Johnson explained: "I think Steve has done a tremendous job of the captaincy all the way through. It's been a very, very tough time.

"But I thought all the leaders in the team stood up this week and that makes Steve's job easier."

Monye also responded with a determined performance back in his preferred wing spot.

His first-half tackle on Mils Muliaina saved a certain try and set the tone for a vastly improved first-half performance.

Booed off at half-time last week, they were cheered to the rafters yesterday as Wilkinson exchanged two penalties with a strangely below-par Carter.

But the second half followed an all-too-familiar pattern as England, robbed of Joe Worsley after two minutes with a knee injury, allowed the game to slip away from themselves.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry said: "England were right up for it. I was very impressed with the way they played. They were very physical and Martin will be pleased with what they produced."

Johnson has much to ponder before England host Wales in the Six Nations opener on February 6. Here's hoping.

SCORERS - England: pens Wilkinson 2. New Zealand: try Cowan; conv Carter; pens Carter 4.

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