Rock solid England edge out All Blacks

9.10pm

ENGLAND 15 NEW ZEALAND 13

UPDATE - European champions England have recorded a momentous 15-13 win over New Zealand with flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson kicking all his team's points.

Wilkinson slotted four penalties and a drop goal to give England only their second test victory in New Zealand.

All Black fullback Doug Howlett scored the game's sole try, running on to a Carlos Spencer tactical kick in the second half.

Although the game rarely flowed, the pace never relented and the tension between the Six Nations champions and last year's winners of the Tri-Nations was evident in several fiery exchanges between the forwards.

England number eight Lawrence Dallaglio had an immense game for the tourists and prop Phil Vickery was prominent in several barging runs after coming on in the second half.

For New Zealand, Spencer showed several touches of individual brilliance but failed with three kickable penalties and the fleet-footed outside backs were kept in check by some determined England defending.

England's best period came midway through the second half with loose forwards Neil Back and Dallaglio in the sin bin. The tourists not only repulsed the All Blacks but extended their lead to six points through Wilkinson's fourth penalty.

Referee Stuart Dickinson sin-binned first Back for handling the ball on the ground in a ruck and a minute later Dallaglio for coming in from the side of a ruck and killing the ball.

The All Blacks were hot on attack at that stage and number eight Rodney So'oialo got over the line but was penalised for making two movements.

Wilkinson had put England ahead 15-6 in the 61st minute and a minute later Howlett scored after Spencer had kicked into the vacant England fullback slot. Howlett beat the gallant Dallaglio to the ball over the try line.

England conceded 70 percent of the territory and 54 percent of the possession and, as well, Dickinson penalised them 20 times to the All Blacks' 13.l

But while England had few chances to score a try, the All Blacks had several snuffed out by the terrier-like England defence and the tireless work of their forwards, with skipper Martin Johnson outstanding in the tight.

The teams went to the break 6-6 with Wilkinson and Spencer both kicking two penalties.

Wilkinson was able to increase England's lead with 45th and 56th minute penalties, both tough ones with the wind making judgment difficult.

In the second half the Newcastle scrumhalf took advantage of a rare England foray into All Black territory to calmly pot a drop goal.

However, a minute after Wilkinson's strike, Howlett scored and Spencer had 18 minutes to hang on to the slender two point margin.

- REUTERS