Cowan is high-tackled by England Toby Flood who was subsequently shown a yellow card © Getty Images

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Jimmy Cowan pulled no punches in assessing England's spoiling tactics as the All Blacks completed their Grand Slam at Twickenham.

The combative halfback admitted he found it difficult to control his aggression as English players made his life a misery during New Zealand's 32-6 victory. Cowan was frequently targeted at the breakdown and said he almost took exception despite Irish referee Alain Rolland sinbinning Lee Mears and Tom Rees for ruck infringements.

James Haskell and Toby Flood were also yellow carded for dangerous tackles. Cowan's rival halfback Danny Care was fortunate not to join the procession of Englishmen to the sideline after he was penalised and frequently warned by Rolland for making a nuisance of himself when the All Blacks were looking to recycle quick ball.

While delighted to be part of a Grand Slam-winning team, Cowan said the final test of the year was still unfulfilling. "We just couldn't get any flow in our game. It starts from the set piece and it starts from me distributing the ball," he said.

"I couldn't get any flow in my game, they tend to kill the ball over here. They don't really attack the ruck as such, they wait until the ball's in my hand to attack me."

Cowan admitted he was tempted to mete out his own justice to coincide with Rolland's punishment. Asked whether he sought to ease his frustrations with a punch, Cowan replied: "I would have loved to. I said to one of the boys afterwards, if I wasn't playing for the All Blacks, if I was playing for Southland or maybe the Highlanders, maybe I'd have thrown a couple."

Given this season has seen him confront disciplinary issues off the field, Cowan wisely kept control. "I'm pretty scared of the coaches -- they keep me in check."

Cowan said Rolland was right to flourish the yellow card at regular intervals. "He (Rolland) managed to do a good job in the end. The sinbinnings sort of killed their play a little bit."

All Blacks head coach Graham Henry thought Rolland, whom he described as the best referee in the world, could have clamped down even harder on the English. "I think they were just trying to kill the ball. I thought they were legitimate yellow cards, they should have got more," he said.

Henry claimed Joe Rokocoko was a victim of a high tackle while Kieran Read's jersey was tugged by Care as Ma'a Nonu made a promising thrust shortly before Mils Muliaina scored the All Blacks' first try. "How the linesman missed the high tackle on Joe I'll never know," Henry said. "They were fortunate it wasn't more."

Asked to appraise the English challenge, Cowan said it did not match the intensity of Wales or Ireland. "It wasn't the toughest game we had, they made a lot of errors. We always felt safe, they didn't really threaten us."