By Chris Chaplin
November 11 2002

From my armchair in deepest Gloucestershire and suitably fortified, how I rated the England players in their match against an "emerging" All Blacks. Trevor Woodman
Made a good start. Did the basics right and was very impressive in the loose. Must be on the teamsheet already for the Wallabies game. 8/10

Steve Thompson
Impressive in the first half particularly in the loose. Throwing in was sound but seemed to fade away in the second half. I wonder if Regan will start next week? 6/10

Phil Vickery
The Cornish Bull seemed a bit off his best to me . Played well but was not his usual belligerent self. Had his first "meeting" with Mr Lomu - lost. Another one already on the team sheet for next week 6/10

Martin Johnson
Had a good outing, must surely be the role model for a modern day captain. Had some good bursts in the loose and was untroubled in the line out. 7/10

Danny Grewcock
Pretty untroubled in the set pieces but didn't seem to firing on all cylinders and was not around and about in the loose to the effect that he can be. Ben Kay could start next week after his "Justin Harrison" steal when it mattered. 6/10

Richard Hill
As usual played well. Superb in defence but not quite the snaffler of loose ball that Backy is. 7/10

Lawrence Dallagio
I was a bit disappointed that we didn't see him more with the ball in hand, seemed sluggish and almost disconnected from the game somehow. 6/10

Lewis Moody
A first class perfomance from our very own Mad-Eye. He was everywhere, claimed the restarts with authority, tackled superbly, backed up the attackers and showed a combination of bravery and intelligence in scoring the try when he spotted All Black cover coming across and dived under it. 9/10

Matt Dawson
Not a happy return for the referee's assistant. Had an untroubled scrum in front of him but lacked sharpness or invention. Surely Gomersall will get his chance against the Wallabies. 5/10

Jonny Wilkinson
After a shaky start settled down and had a good match, his running game is so improved and his step putting Lewis Moody away for the try was sublime. Kicking was near faultless, but not quite. 8/10

Ben Cohen
Probably the best I've seen him play for England. Tremendous work rate, he looked sharp and quick, what a waste playing him at centre. Must retain his place. 8/10

Mike Tindall
Had an excellent game in defence and his kicking out of hand was sound. Doesn't seem to offer much creatively and once Greenwood went off the centre became mired. What's the alternative though? A real crisis in top class centres eligible for England. What I do like about him his his solidity and aggression. I can't see any challengers for his spot. 7/10

Will Greenwood
He seemed a little confused at what to do and when Carlos Spencer body checked him en route to a score from Dawson's chip (disgracefully not even penalised by the hopeless Caplan) his game was over. Johnstone replaced him but didn't look likely to become a permanent replacement. 5/10

James Simpson-Daniel
We were treated to a couple of flashes of what the young Glaws man can do, but he really saw too little of the ball. His draw and pass in the build up to Moody's try was real class. I hope he'll get another shot next week. Renewed his acquaintance with Mr Lomu and found him a different proposition in the Black shirt but in the tackling stakes secured a draw 7/10

Jason Robinson
I was impressed with the security he had under the high ball and his kicking out of hand looks to have improved as well. Ran out of defence well but didn't often get far into their half from such situations. 7/10

Overall
An exciting game with the England pack dominating up front and in the set pieces without really breaking sweat. In the backs it was a different matter with the All Blacks looking far more dangerous and likely to score at any time and from anywhere, particularly once Mehrtens made his appearance.

If this is an "emerging side" look out the rest.

England looked ring rusty and strangely detached and very nearly lost it. 6/10