It's Topsy Turvy For Steve

Jun 15 2008 David Kinnear Reports

NEW ZEALAND 37

ENGLAND 20

ENGLAND skipper Steve Borthwick blasted his sloppy side after they were crushed by the ruthless All Blacks yesterday.

The tourists took a battering in Auckland and the only positive was the display of new boy Topsy Ojo who bagged two tries.

But Ojo's debut would have been no consolation for new boss Martin Johnson who stayed in England with his wife expecting their second child.

Dan Cater was the New Zealand hero as he bagged 20 points but Borthwick reckons his troops self-destructed. He said: "We made too many errors and they were so clinical. Our attitude is faultless but we have to look at the display and cut the error rate."

Defence coach Mike Ford was also furious and claimed the players left him red-faced.

He said: "It is embarrassing sitting here as defence coach having conceded those tries.

"The one thing we were pretty confident about was set-piece defence and it was dreadful."

England started well and edged 6-3 ahead as Olly Barkley kicked one penalty more than Carter.

But they lost possession from the restart after Barkley's second and that sparked a collapse. The first try came when Conrad Smith latched on to a kick over the top from Carter and burst through to touch down.

The All Blacks scored again just two minutes later when Andrew Ellis and Sitiveni Sivivatu set up Carter for a stunning try.

England kept the game alive just before the break when Ojo made an interception and raced 80 yards to touch down. But they were killed off as the Kiwis grabbed two tries within five minutes of the restart.

Ma'a Nonu set up the first for Mils Muliaina with a surging run and pass before turning provider again for Sivivatu.

That put the All Blacks on easy street although Ojo capped an impressive debut with his second try after a cool chip from substitute Danny Care.

Team manager Rob Andrew said: "Topsy took his chances well and his all-round game was good. Both were exceptional opportunist tries because he still had a lot of work to do."