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'He is the most respected individual I've ever seen inside the All Blacks'
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Sky Sport commentator reveals All Blacks' downfall vs England
By Henry Lee
When the All Blacks went 12-0 up in the 19th minute against England at Allianz Stadium, you would be forgiven for thinking this could be a performance to remember for Scott Robertson’s side.
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But that was far from the truth, as England scored 25 straight points to overcome the All Blacks in London.
Two drop goals from George Ford helped Steve Borthwick’s side reduce the margin late in the first half, before the All Blacks’ third quarter struggles came back to haunt them once again.
Sky Sports commentator and analyst Tony Johnson, who called the game in London, says that the issue for the All Blacks against England was that they looked fatigued just before halftime.
“One other observation that I’d make is, I thought just coming up to half time, the All Blacks looked a bit fatigued, and I’m not quite sure what that was about, but they just looked a bit tired going into the break,” Johnson told Sky Sport.
“Maybe that was around that middle stage of the game where England were able to forge their way into a really good position, and as I say, the All Blacks fought well enough to get themselves in with a chance, but England just weren’t to be denied.”
The long-time commentator explains that this end-of-year Northern Tour for the All Blacks, has shown how hard securing a Grand Slam actually is.
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“First and foremost, I think what happened today just reminds us that it is hard to do a Grand Slam. I know the All Blacks did it in quick succession, 2005, 2008, and 2010 no one’s done it since then.
“Springboks haven’t done it, Australia hasn’t done it, and now the All Blacks haven’t done it, denied by an England team that did take control of the game through the middle phase.”
For long periods of the game in London, the All Blacks were well in the hunt of heading towards a potential Grand Slam if they were to beat Wales next week, but Johnson believes that when England kept the score ticking over with Ford’s drop goals, that was where the game was won.
“I thought New Zealand started really well, created those two early tries, but from then on, just little things happened that just stopped them from taking a firm grip on the game and I think you have to credit England for the way they just clawed their way back into the match.
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“I know sometimes in New Zealand we disparage the drop goal, but look, George Ford knew exactly what he was doing. He just kept the points ticking over, closed the gap at the break, and then really took control of the game.
“I think you have to give credit to England, they were the better team. The All Blacks, yes, again, missed some important opportunities that they could have rammed the game home with.
“But they weren’t able to do so and yep, that’s it. The Grand Slam not going to be this time.”
