Our Herald rugby writers answer three key questions from the All Blacks' 24-21 win over England in Twickenham this morning.
1. The All Blacks are making a habit of getting off to slow starts. How concerning will this be to Hansen & Co?
Gregor Paul: Of reasonable concern certainly. Test football is hard to win if you keep handing the opposition easy points early and time to settle and build their confidence.
Patrick McKendry: It will be a concern and it is a habit they must break. Making relatively passive starts before having to overhaul teams isn't sustainable.
Wynne Gray: Playing catch-up is never the best tactic. In sudden-death contests like a World Cup or had England kicked for goal early rather than the line, it becomes even more of a grind to get back into the game.
All Blacks: How the English media reacted
All Blacks come from behind to beat England
2. What lies behind this All Black side's ability to consistently win tight games?
Gregor Paul: They are clinical when they need to be and show incredible ability to execute their skills under pressure. The Charlie Faumuina try - the retention, recycling, decision-making and handling were superb through more than 15 phases. England, on the other hand, had a golden chance to score when Mike Brown just had to catch a pass and fall over. And he fell over. Forgetting to catch.
Patrick McKendry: Experience, a tough mindset, and the presence of Richie McCaw. The skipper is extremely calm on the field and that flows down to his teammates. He is also still very capable of making key interventions in terms of tackles and turnovers.
Wynne Gray: The scoreboard was tight but the All Blacks were too good for this England side even with a lack of ball and the fitful referee.
Video3. What did this game tell us about England?
Gregor Paul: They have regressed to a power game where they trust their skills less. They scored agreat try when they backed themselves and found space but then shied away from that style and drove their lineouts, hit with one-up runners and tried to bash up the middle.
Patrick McKendry: That they aren't far behind the All Blacks but that their game plan remains a work in progress. The final scoreline probably flattered them a bit as they were very conservative in the second half, appearing to backtrack on their willingness to run the ball in New Zealand in June.
Wynne Gray: England have the game for World Cups. Add in Corbisiero, Vunipola, Lancaster, Parling, Tuilagi and a few other bods and they will be an durable tournament threat..
