There have been a few 'if only we had' in the press and on social media pointing to Marcus Smith's off day from the kicking tee however Damian McKenzie wasn't on his best kicking form for New Zealand either, and was actually timed out for one kick and missed a few other opportunities.
In some ways it would have been better had England lost by a bigger margin making it easier for coach Steve Borthwick to identify the areas that he needs to focus on and make positive changes.
Generally it was a good day for England with one of the best individual performances by an England player coming from a 'New Zealander' in Chandler Cunningham-South, who came back to play for the country of his birth and gave a performance that will make the All Blacks wish they had hung on to him.
Having grown up in New Zealand from the age of four and played for North Harbour U18 and Canterbury U19, he joined the London Irish academy in February 2022 making his Premiership debut in May that year which started him on the pathway to the England team.
Unfortunately for England the early injury to Joe Marler last Saturday, which saw him leave the field, impacted on the team's game plan with England failing to have the stable set piece at the scrum that they were seeking.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Gallagher's late brace proves key for Caldy
CALDY built upon recent improved performances against London Scottish and Ealing to record a bonus point win against fourth placed Nottingham in a thrilling battle at Paton Field.
Leicester gunning to take down a legend
MICHAEL Cheika is aiming to take down a French icon as his Tigers attempt their Champions Cup mission impossible in Toulouse today and upset his children in the process.
Charnock the class has to end Havant resistance
A MUCH improved second-half performance saw Westevencombe Park tually overcome a spirited Havant side who looked like providing an upset for much of the game.
Quins turn on style to rip Sharks apart
A STORMING second-half mance saw perforQuins romp to a seven-try victory on the road.
Williams is poised to shift up a gear
TEDDY Williams will be looking to put his international disappointments behind him now his remarkable shift this season has been rewarded with a Wales call-up.
Mitchell back to his best and ready for battle
ALEX Mitchell is now eight games into his injury-delayed season and feeling full of energy for the Six Nations campaign ahead of him.
Borthwick: It's time to put our foot down
STEVE Borthwick insists he has come up with a solution to problem England's in closing out matches be even quicker out of the blocks in the upcoming Six Nations.
Watson: I had to quit, I was in so much pain
AS Anthony Watson trudged off five minutes into the second-half in Leicester's match at Sale in December, he knew deep down that his career was over.
Seabrook hat-trick as Saints edge a thriller
A STIRRING contest ended in Saints scrambling heroically to gain a last 16 home tie and gallant Munster facing a knockout tie on the road.
Barritt backing the new boys
BRAD Barritt won the Champions Cup three times with Saracens and believes the club are on course to be a powerhouse in the competition again.
