England’s best chance in either Test against New Zealand came at Christchurch today when the All Blacks lost two of their most senior forwards, Ali Williams and captain Richie McCaw, to injury before half time. But the tourists continued with their uninspired tactics - and were totally outclassed in a 44-12 defeat.

Kicking for field position is an age-old tactic in rugby, and with a dominant forward pack it can completely shut down opponents. But when the kicks are aimless and the forwards going backwards, it would seem time to change the tactic. England, it would seem, lacked a plan B, resorting to one-off runs that were caught behind the advantage line all to often.

Much-vaunted prop Andrew Sheridan did very little in the Eden Park Test, aside from getting sin-binned, while his propping partner Matt Stevens was given a torrid time by Neemia Tialata and Tony Woodcock. In fact, the England scrum was not the dominant weapon they had hoped it would be, as once again the All Blacks gave the men in white a lesson in scrum technique.

If the scrum was a weakness for England, their midfield defence was a complete disaster with Olly Barkley, Jamie Noon and Mike Tindall unable to contain the power and speed of Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui. Tindall’s only contribution to both Test matches was a yellow card in each, although he did look good as Smith and Nonu powered past him.

Actually crossing the line proved to be a problem for England, three of whose four tries in the two Tests were opportunistic efforts, with only Tom Varndell’s effort the result of a strong build-up.

The difference between Northern and Southern Hemisphere referees was also evident, as Welshman Nigel Owen allowed England to dive off their feet at the ruck, sealing the ball off as seems to be the northern tactic, while South African Jonathan Kaplan penalised England repeatedly for the same thing.