England Crush Crusaders in First Tour Win

England recorded a first win on their tour of New Zealand this morning in Christchurch, as the weekday team blew past the Crusaders by 38 points to seven.

Fly-half Danny Cipriani impressed once again in an England shirt, just hours after news broke that Owen Farrell would miss the final Test match in Hamilton with a knee strain.

After the Sale Sharks playmaker cleverly set-up the opening try for Joe Gray and completed three out of four conversions, Cipriani made a pressing claim for a place on the bench in Saturday’s third Test.

Having conceded the series with Saturday's 28-27 defeat in Dunedin, England's midweek team answered Lancaster's call to lift spirits ahead of the final attempt of securing only a third away victory against the All Blacks.

Gray was the first to cross the line in a six-try rout over the Crusaders with Ben Foden, Brad Barritt, Alex Goode, Anthony Watson and Chris Pennell also crossing in a resounding, if scrappy, victory.

Leicester lock Ed Slater led the side as Captain and, although he wasn’t on the scoresheet, Slater placed himself in contention for the fourth and final available second-row spot in the 2015 World Cup squad, behind Lawes, Parling and Launchbury, with a towering display.

A weakened Crusaders were missing their current All Blacks with only four of the 23 having been capped by New Zealand in the past and their limitations were apparent.

Equally evident, however, was the determination that enabled them to prevent a 26-7 half-time deficit from deteriorating into a heavy beating.

When Cipriani selflessly launched the points onslaught with only one minute on the clock, a cricket score beckoned.

An explosive start opened gaps in midfield and the Sale playmaker slipped into space before supplying the scoring pass to Gray.

Five minutes later England crossed for a second time with a moment of magic from Foden, whose feet were perfectly placed as he kept Goode's chip in play and touched down under the nose of outwitted wing Johnny McNicholl.

Aided by some loose kicking from the tourists, the Crusaders gained a foothold in the game with one thunderous hit by Jordan Taufua on James Haskell sending the muscular flanker hurtling backwards.

Only a last-ditch tackle from Goode prevented McNicholl from crossing but moments later England's fragmenting defence parted to welcome Matt Todd over the whitewash.

The try sobered England and they responded by attacking with greater intent, stretching the Crusaders until Foden was bundled into touch.

Having looked to put width on the ball, they reverted to a route one approach with Barritt bulldozing through two tackles and over the line.

England were woeful at the restarts, yet it barely knocked them off their stride as a fourth try was amassed when quick hands after a bullocking run from Slater saw Goode ghost in.

Slater was having a magnificent game as he led the defensive effort against a lively start to the second half from the Crusaders.

England began to empty their bench and it took until the 60th minute for the next try to arrive with full-back Pennell putting Watson into space.

There was still work to do but Watson's footwork and pace enabled him to round two defenders and sprint home.

The Crusaders enjoyed their best spell of the match in the final quarter with a double tackle from Foden and Pennell stopping Taufua in the left corner.

A 17,500 sell-out crowd willed the Crusaders on for a final try, but instead it came from England as Pennell collected Barritt's injury-time chip and dived over.

 

Crusaders: T Taylor; McNicholl, Lee-Lo, Fonotia, Tuitavake; Bleyendaal, Heinz; Perry, Flynn, Laulala, Tupou, Everson, Taufua, G Whitelock, L Whitelock.

Replacements: Moody for Perry (60), Funnell for Flynn (60), Tokolahi for Laulala (76), Barrett for Tupou (31), Todd for G Whitelock (19), Ellis for Heinz (51), A Whitelock for Fonotia (51), Thompson for Lee-Lo (69).

England: Goode; Foden, Trinder, Barritt, Watson; Cipriani, Dickson; Waller, Gray, Thomas, Slater, Attwood, Haskell, Kvesic, Johnson.

Replacements: Catt for Waller (58), Ward for Gray (60), Sinckler for Thomas (58), Paterson for Attwood (69), Wigglesworth for Dickson (48), Myler for Cipriani (48), May for Trinder (58), Pennell for Goode (60).

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)