New Zealand
SBW steps up another notch at Twickenham
November 9, 2014
England 21-24 New Zealand (Australia only)
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Sonny Bill Williams passed another exam in his Test rugby re-education, but team-mates in the backline earned the wrath of the All Blacks coach after the tense defeat of England.

Williams was a standout in attack and defence during the 24-21 comeback win at Twickenham, the most penetrative runner in a Test that lacked the spectacular while also performing the basics well. His front-on tackles regularly jolted England's ball-runners as he took a step up after returning to the All Blacks' fold in the thrashing of the United States. Assistant coach Ian Foster said Williams' powerful 80 minutes provided further justification of his hasty recall after he completed a two-year NRL tenure. "It was a taste of the pressure that he's gong to have to get used to, and certainly England cut his time and space down," Foster said. "He was patient. He problem-solved his way through and, I thought as the game went on, he made more and more of an impact."

The Test wasn't as memorable for Williams' midfield partner, Conrad Smith, who was beaten for pace on the outside when England wing Jonny May scorched 55 metres to score in the third minute. Coach Steve Hansen was critical of the defensive efforts of Smith and fullback Israel Dagg, who was also left grasping, when he assessed May's first Test try. "He'll bank that one, he won't get too many more softer ones." Smith, 33, was replaced in the 47th minute by Ryan Crotty, the earliest non-injury-related exit for the veteran centre in his 80 Test starts.

© AAP

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