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So England go down 6-32 to the guys that do the funny dance. My only question is - was the lack of discipline (4 players sin binned) necessary to keep the score down or was it the main cause of the scoreline? Answers on a postcard please.

Another easy try for NZ. Carter chokes the extras again. Fortunately the baby is crying here and that means little more from me...

Easter's turn now - he dives into the ruck like Greg Louganis and is promptly penalised with Carter actually getting one this time. 6-20.

A certain try for New Zealand but they knock on with 3 vs 1 and 5 yards to go. That was crap and no. 4 is going to get a bollocking after this game. However England manage to lose their own scrum and New Zealand run it over in the opposite corner. Carter chokes the extras to keep the crowd in good cheer. 6-17 to New Zealand.

So England back at 15 players for the first time in over 30 minutes. However Kiwis very close to England line now and looking a little dangerous, but not very. The ref continues his closing down sale for penalties and this one is for England ... it moves them up field and attacking.

England yet again offside and the ref is having to blow up for penalties every 30s or so right now. Wasn't the idea of these ELVs to stop so many penalties? This is certainly chokable for Carter today (wide on right, but not far out) and... the crowd go mental as it just misses the right upright. Carter's misses are perhaps the only real highlight for the crowd so far today.

More argy bargy - this time New Zealand get the warning but alas not the card. Vickery taking the kick... no only joking. Delon 'the hero' Armitage takes a swipe and its right in the middle. He can really do no wrong (... apart from the ball he put out on the full in the first half perhaps).

Lots of slow mauling stuff from England - the Kiwis certainly don't like it since it's using up lots of time and slowing their game down to a crawl. This is a good tactic for England - pretty much all they can probably hope for right now. However you just can't see it working until the end of the game. Perhaps if they can hold out until their players are back on the pitch...

This is getting stupid now - Toby Flood off for a high tackle after England had camped on the NZ line for few minutes doing some old school standing mauls and drives. England are really in trouble without a reliable no. 10.

Quick half time summary: It's not pretty to watch but then again very little high end rugby is when sides are concerned about winning. England have almost had parity in many phases but are taking the ball stationary in the backs and the forwards are being punished for many errors and disciplinary issues. New Zealand haven't looked great with Carter missing plenty and even Scarlet being hauled over the coals a couple of times by the ref. That said it's more than likely that New Zealand will find a way to make the extra experience and fitness tell in the final 30 minutes.