Rugby: All Blacks have a gear beyond England

The All Blacks after winning the Steinlager Series against England. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks' identity crisis is over. In a clinical third quarter, the world champions showed why they are the best side on the planet.

England, who had led at the interval, were blown away, gasping and even though they salvaged pride with two tries in the final nine minutes, the reality is that New Zealand have a gear beyond England at the moment.

The switch was flicked and the pyrotechnics began. It was breathless stuff, gripping and uplifting, and the series is now beyond England.

A marker has been laid down for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. A win in Hamilton next week will bring the All Blacks level with a record mark of 17 successive test victories. Few could argue with them claiming that status.

Of course, the history books will show the narrowest of defeats for England. The reality was less comforting. The scoreboard flattered them, even if they were good value for their 10-6 lead at the break.

England were not clinical when it mattered. They were guilty of getting suckered into New Zealand's fast-and-loose style, keeping it on the move at all costs. They were frantic and rushed rather than measured and potent.

So overwhelming was the New Zealand riposte that it was hard to recall that England had the upper hand in the first half.

You can never have too much of an advantage against the world champions. They strain at the leash to get at you. And eventually they did.

Normal service had been resumed. The All Blacks are still the untouchables of world rugby.