Rugby Test Match 2002 - England vs. New Zealand

November 9, 2002 - Twickenham, London - Highlights.

[@waynegordon4975]

That was a fantastic England team in the early noughties and with that performance and the six nations in 2003 and summer tour down under the same year you can see why they won the world cup in Australia later on. The best England team i have seen in that era. A team of winners.

[@JW-th4nn]

As a neighbouring Welshman, England were a brick wall of a team back then, super fit and packed with talent. No one cpuld cope with that English pack back in the day. Jason Robinson was an absolute dynamite of a runner. Two of the strongest in the world battling it out during the time. RIP Jonah, the great man left us far too soon :(

[@steveandreassend8620]

This was an experimental B team that England played against with many senior AB players left out.

[@steveandreassend8620]

@James Leatherbarrow 2003 England were way out in front, not so sure about 2002. This match is in my top 4 of painful losses - along with 2003, 2019 RWC, 2022 (a draw after leading by 19 points is a loss). It was a great match, England deserved it, but we’ll never know what might have been if the ABs had put out a full strength team.

[@steveandreassend8620]

@James Leatherbarrow The same thing could be said for the 2022 match. England’s reserves ran circles around the ABs and should have started.

[@thinkbig3384]

@@steveandreassend8620 Experimental?? You, my friend, should stick to football as it is obvious that you know nothing about rugby union!

[@jeanmichelreneredbeans4104]

I am french and Wilkinson during this year play in an other planet, some respect for the genius

[@laidsgpr63]

This Jomu Lomu was surely a POWER HOUSE. An ICON in his day !!👍You are a good man !!

[@GG-bz4hj]

It's a shame all the toxicity in the comments from all sides (including supporters of other teams not involved in this game) I'm an All Black supporter but this was a great England team and I can't do anything but respect their play. Great game by Australia last week as well.

[@jldp24]

Shut up..this was the end of an era for alot of ab players and this was essentially a B team as well.

[@NuisanceMan]

@@jldp24 I think you're what he meant by "toxicity." How DARE an All Blacks fan be gracious in defeat!

[@eliaskotzakidis8773]

@@jldp24 What a crap of justification! Always the same when England beat one of their big rivals in the sport. Though not a "pom", I think we all friends of Rugby have had enough of this shit! A plead to stop with that, coming from Greece.

[@jldp24]

@@eliaskotzakidis8773 calm down Zorba

[@MrHistorian123]

@@jldp24 Rubbish. If you can't make more sensible comments than this, I'd suggest you don't post. Then you won't look a fool.

[@englishredcoat]

Lomu is amazing lets be fair. It is like two u12 school sides playing with one team having their sports teacher on the wing

[@mhoppy6639]

Definitely ! As our PE teacher regularly used to prove by playing for the “inferior” side - and as I was always scrum half or on the wing and was the only one who would try and tackle anyone (it was a state comp and football DOMINATED) then I was left with the unenviable task of tackling Mr Clark or Mr Richards. Thanks guys .!

[@NuisanceMan]

Great match, great highlights. Thank you!

[@TennisCoachno1]

man this was just fantastic to watch! Gawwddd i miss these days where england ruled supreme :D thanks so much hike6ones your videos are epiccc and so long!!!!!!

[@solephonic]

even though we lost this game i really enjoyed it. a good mix of old and new players... and mehrtens is all class. england played well too.

[@kamsadeghi]

Truly a great game. The gameplay was so much better back then

[@robertroberts2666]

I am a Welsh man who has lost all confidence in our National game since it went "Regional" in 2003. I now support the democratic ( for now) club based system in England and long may it continue!

[@kiwiadventures3773]

I was next to Wilkinson at a urinal. He actually used the same stance. I told him to forget the run up.

[@feliscorax]

That’s funny. 😂

[@robertroberts2666]

Times have changed and not necessarily for the better! Great and perfectly legal tackle by Cohen on Blair, going for the line, late in the game. That try-saving tackle would be considered illegal by today's ponce standards.

[@stephenreeds3672]

Also, when Moody scores look at the knees in the head. They always do it.

[@treefrog1956]

+Stephen Reeds David Rees got the same treatment scoring in the corner in 1997.

[@joebish6629]

They always get away with it too.

[@davidg9501]

Look at the England #11's shot to the head of the NZ #8 at 21:27, then quit your whinging, Poms.

[@joebish6629]

@@davidg9501 Just a bit of payback for all the dirty NZ play. Nowadays players aren't getting away with it and the amount of yellow and red cards in recent NZ history shows this. Almost a level playing field.

[@Justiceforpets]

Joe Bish payback? interesting comment. we can all come up with as many regrettable incidences as one another. The way i look at it as a loyal Kiwi, is to look back to the humble beginnings of the All Blacks and their successful goal in showcasing our tiny nation at the bottom of the globe, bringing NZ to to the world through sportsmanship, their mantra was always humility, camaraderie and respect, that was our forefathers and who we should be emulating. Apologies for so called fans who beat their chests, brag and belittle our opponents on social media, most of those are unlikely from NZ as the All Blacks also have huge followings all over the world who don’t seem to care about representing us, our history in the world or about being humble.

[@solephonic]

i'm an all black supporter and this is one of my favourite test matches. great skill on display from both sides.

[@stephenreeds3672]

Trevor Woodman, what a player. bobhid I agree. Whenever they lose it's either the beginning of their season or the end or they're all ill. Try and lose with grace.

[@richardmatatahi4563]

I always wondered why England always played a 2 match Test series against the All Blacks and not a 3 match series or even a 5 match series like everyone else and yet to win a test series in between the one off games. 118 yrs with 8 wins averaged out a win every 15 years since 1905. maybe to help keep the stats down, France are the best NH team to have faced the All Blacks and have won 13 games 48 loses & 4 draws

[@darthmong7196]

24:00 Cohen perfecting the Ash Splash. What is it with Saints?

[@AshboNZ86]

I remember there being a public outcry in NZ that Ben Blair was picked ahead of Cullen. Blair didn't have a good game and he stuffed up that last play down the sideline by not stepping inside, had it been Cully, he would have stepped inside and scored the match winner. How good was Lomu!?! and Marty Holah too, He was unfortunate to have played the same time McCaw came onto the scene.

[@finleybooth4914]

Hey there. A Job Well Done! morning languid What's your opinion about that 11

[@forsoup]

Trever Woodman was onbe of the best props England ever had. Oustanding.

[@nathanwilliams2152]

He was definitely solid. I still think Leonard, Cotton, and later, Sheridan and Corbisiero were better. Corbs was one of the best scrummagers I saw in recent times

[@carpusbarsum]

My main lesson from this is that Stuart Barnes is a complete knob. Is he always hungover?

[@popeyedish]

No..he really is just a knob 😂

[@ewaf88]

Nice to see Jonah again - what a player. Hill and Woodman could really shift.

[@robicenco1]

Cohen's match-saving tackle would be a penalty try these days... this match was a thriller, watched it in the Raisin pub in St Andrews which was always a fantastic venue for autumn internationals. Happy days.

[@robertrowles5450]

England never worked out how to neutralise Lomu, right until his final test: but, by a narrow squeak, they were finally able to beat him. Playing some brilliant rugby on the way.

[@iambeowulf9325]

They didn’t need to neutralise him. They knew the areas where they were stronger and where they could exploit NZ, which they did. The could easily have stuck Ben Cohen on the opposite wing, but what would be the point? Many teams focused on stopping Lomu and then had their pants pulled down by the rest of the All Blacks’ team.

[@winesy83]

Amazing how much the game has changed since then. The defences and rucking are so much more precise. This England side wasn't the best to watch but they were very effective. After they won the w.c every side began to copy their preparation and conditioning and suddenly England were struggling.

[@hanros98]

richard hill went to my school awesome player

[@Elchie232]

You are the best! LOVE longer videos

[@Vonnegut43]

Thanks

[@kikia6611]

Close game, great to see Lomu in action, and Tindall with hair.

[@matthewhilton5894]

It's a good job it wasn't lomu on the end of that final passage of play don't think Ben Cohen would of stopped him but we'll done to the English players for a win against a top notch side with big jonah legend RIP God bless his soul

[@warren52nz]

Great editing. All the empty space deleted.

[@TheForge10]

Lots of one hit wonders in this side that should have beaten England. Sam Broomhall , Keith Lowan , Ben Blair , Steve Devine , Joe McDonnell. All never seen again in an All Black jersey. Mehrtens was dropped the very next year.Lomu got ill and was never seen again in an AB jersey.

[@christophergreenland4121]

What a fantastic game!

[@merlin5420]

The Tongan legends on the wings for the ABs

[@matt49125]

Jason Robinson. What a f'in legend

[@BRabbitts]

I don't get it, Wilko kicked it out at 80:54 surely that would be the end of the game?

[@javman817]

GREAT GAME and some great moments. I just like that at the end of the game after knocking spots of f each other - they are great sportmen and great gentlemen. I like the fact that this sport is so violent adn competitive but no real trash talk, just get on with it and respect after the game - it goes all the way dow to club leevel - even if the ref has a mare they take it on the chin and give him a bit or gentle ribbing and banter after the game in the bar. I was at a low level eearl season competitive match with 6 teams playing and just a good biut of bant and respect by amateurs from builders to bankers, teachers to techniciian, it is all about the love of the game

[@rohp1283]

This was a likeable English team.

[@ssrmy1782]

We never could stop Lomu! What a player!

[@tonygoodwin2834]

JONAH - HOW great!? GOAT winger.... simply awesome

[@JohnRidley12]

As an england fan in 2023- watching this makes me sad

[@elizaphanmnjama11]

What exactly did the commentators not see for Lomu's first try?

[@123tgw]

How did your 1st XV did in the ensuing world cup then? just hard cheese.

[@dsm577]

what a legendary game

[@driving_all_over]

Sinbad deserves to play more for England!!

[@kochan96]

i love how ben cohen holds on to blair for a moment after his try saving tackle...just making extra sure hes not going anywhere.lol

[@glennthompson1971]

Terrific game. England played great at beginning of second half to pull out a big lead. But the All Blacks roared back and were so close to victory.

[@rewayi]

Those running angles from the AB 3/4 back is outstanding

[@Chandos20]

I would have loved to see someone take a few strides out to Jonah at the hakah!!...

[@reecesovahear]

brilliant

[@hanros98]

you absolute legend hike

[@JamieMonk]

Great game, great England team.

[@craigybadfingers]

I'm Welsh and it es good to see some class rugby by England yesterday. The best bit is reading the comments from before yesterday's game. All the cocky NZ ers going mental. Bet all of them were crying yesterday, wish I'd seen their faces

[@theenglishborn]

was that not from a conversion?

[@Kurt_Nirvana.1994]

โจนาห์ โลมู คุณยอดเยี่ยม คุณคือตำนานของ รักบี้ตลอดไป

[@bazking]

The Lomu Express..lol...great game...exciting finish!

[@hughwhitla7930]

It's a Shame this England team not playing in Rugby World Cup next year.

[@johnmckenna1823]

Great haka spoilt by the crowd. I was embarrassed. Memorable victory

[@recoverychannel5025]

Jonah we miss you yet.

[@applemask]

Christ, I'd forgotten Jonah Lomu was still playing in 2002.

[@Raichu234]

Why was there like 86 mins on the clock? Why didn't the match end when the ball went out onm 80 mins!

[@StephenLeeBuller]

Great watched 7 times

[@jamieleworthy]

+lfc lee Yeah but England then went on to beat a full strengths New Zealand team in their backyard a year later!

[@asterixdogmatix1073]

I'll freely admit England were miles ahead as the best team in world rugby 2002-2003. They would have beaten the All Blacks in the 2003 RWC final if the AB's had somehow overcome Australia. If anything England played better before the RWC, they tended to go back into their shell at the tournament, a pity, as they had some great attacking play in the 2002 games against NZ, Aus and SA.

[@robicenco1]

dogmatix asterix The 2003 RWC was "difficult" somehow and we definitely didn't play at our best. That was disappointing as we really had played some brilliant stuff from about late 2000 - mid-2003. I'll still take it though!

[@Yalashaska]

12:39 that tackle !

[@nathanwilliams2152]

Totally illegal...but sent the guy to Disneyland

[@keironstoneman6938]

Whenever England are crap I always come back to the autumn internationals of 2002 and the 2003 six nations and world cup and I feel better. The best England team ever.

[@hamsterdj78]

From a froggy, I have to say that a match England vs NZ is something pretty spectacular. I'd say that England is probably the best team of Europe, for the reason that France has no constance !

[@danjsy]

Great game, disagree with a scrum turnover for the AB's, but super quality exciting rugby.

[@patrickthomas8101]

wait we beat NZ when they still had Lomu?

[@doctornov7]

16:34 Huge overlap on the blind side.

[@budwhite1]

A team with Howlett, Umaga, Lomu, Spencer, Holah, Randell, Meeuws and Hore is handy enough I reckon. England did well

[@TheForge10]

it was interesting hearing how New Zealandera were sick of lomu's form during the clip. As a kiwi i was always bemused by my fellow countrymans reactions to Jonah sometimes. he was gushed over internationally but we always panned him alot of the time. I would rather have Lomu in my team or not.Form or no form.

[@williamwallace2278]

Especially when he was playing with a life threatening decease & unwell. It seemed we loved him more than the Kiwis. Even though we in NH were the recipients of his bumps or being run over and tries. I was rather shocked at his funeral? The stadium.wasnt full?

[@timlang3841]

What's up, yo? Brilliant! belong quixotic What do you think, guys? !

[@kristrevellion9454]

Amazing Win even after all this time...expect the same with Borthwick's England!

[@123tgw]

@TheForge10: I agree that historically that New Zealand are top dogs but for a short while back then England had your number and were worthy world champions and the world's No.1 team. If you can't accept that obvious reality, when we took you in the rain with 13 men on the field in your own back yard, and Australia likewise before defeating them in the final on their patch, then you are a small man and need to grow up! Tme Celtic & New World nations showed more maturity & gave credit where due.

[@Crusadersix6]

World # 1 for about 2 days I think.

[@123tgw]

@@Crusadersix6 ~ We all know the #rugby world rankings system does not always necessarily precisely reflect the reality. Generally, though, it is pretty accurate. I can only suggest you re-read my comment, and specifically the final sentence! . A year or two ago, #Ireland briefly became number one in the rankings, having defeated the #AllBlacks twice in a year. Fact. Some were dubious as to whether they deserved the accolade, but you can only do what you can do; you can only beat who is in front of you. . #England defeated #NewZealand in their own back yard in mid-2003. They then crossed the Tasman and defeated #Australia in their back yard too. Five months later England went and won the #WorldCup - on Australian soil. The facts are clear and unassailable. England's period of dominance in the year or two leading up to and including the 2003 World Cup was self-evident. It didn't last long thereafter as some members of the squad called it a day, though for all that England still subsequently made the World Cup final - against victorious #SouthAfrica this time - in 2007, much to my surprise and that of many of my compatriots, I might add. . So quite clearly, for a time at least - and a bloody sight longer than two days! - England were the number one rugby union team in the world. Any fair-minded person knows that. It was all a long time ago and - what with this horrendous Coronavirus Covid-19 disease sweeping the globe in 2020 - in the great scheme of things it is of little importance. Nonetheless, facts are facts, and those who love to crow (even if they have plenty of justification) should try to find some humility within themselves and have the good grace to acknowledge other's achievements, however scant or fleeting they may be. To do otherwise is incredibly ugly and unworthy of respect. I find it distasteful to even have to discuss this. I did not question Ireland's right to their number one ranking. I have never contested NZ's numerous and well deserved number one rankings, nor those of other nations like Australia or the Boks when they have experienced periods of dominance. I have always said that northern hemisphere nations are only as good as they can be when judged against the southern hemi's rugby giants. Well, for a while in the early noughties, England were. As utterly dominating in all aspects as England were in their semi-final demolition of #NZ in the 2019 World Cup in #Japan (to the surprise of virtually everybody, including me) in a match in which the #Kiwis were gifted the only points they managed to score due to a very poor throw-in by an otherwise rampant England at their own lineout, and during which one of England's two other disallowed tries should really have stood (when, with forward passes aplenty, did officials decide to zoom a camera into the depths of a maul like that and come to such a conclusion?) I came across no Englishman who felt we should have won the final. Despite the hugely damaging freak injury to our prop a couple of minutes in, on the day South Africa were simply too strong and well-drilled, and with plenty of skill in the bag too, as they showed when they cut loose late on. So hearty congratulations to South Africa. Best team in the world as of now. A fully deserved victory! . Frankly, I find it piss-poor that certain people - I mean you specifically #GaryDowd - are incapable, it seems, of similar largesse. Such miserly dishonesty and childish churlishness speaks volumes about such people as human beings and will inevitably manifest itself in other facets of life. It is certainly a manifestation of 'little man syndrome'. I'll leave it to others whether they think it is redolent of 'little country syndrome' too, though personally as a big fan of New Zealand as a country and of their rugby folklore I think it is unfair to tar others with the same brush. Basically, people like Gary Dowd are the dregs of humanity. The lowest of the low. The truth is that every nation has such idiots. Every nation has to suffer its own fools. Mercifully, though, they are the minority. I find solace in the firm belief, based on personal experience, that most people are so much better than that!

[@Crusadersix6]

@@123tgw You do realise that game was almost 20 years ago. Day in Day out England's body of work has been mediocre at best over the decades. You had a couple of brief times in the sun, nothing to really crow about though. Remember a broken clock is right twice a day. The AB's historically in comparison have a body of work (over a 130 years) that no other sporting team on earth has achieved. That is a 82% win/loss ratio. BTW The All Blacks have played England in 7 Test Series (Since 1963) comprised of 15 games. NZ have won 14 games drawn 1 and lost 0. Really an annihilation don't you think?

[@123tgw]

@@Crusadersix6 ~God you're thick #GaryDowd! Have I denied any of that? You're a terrible 'ambassador' for #NewZealand & the #AllBlacks. You're an embarrassment to #NZ #rugby & humanity. Now piss off!

[@saintdenis6479]

@@Crusadersix6 Don't be so bloody cocky, you big-headed prick. Think yourself lucky we English taught you how to play the bloody game, and all the others, by the way.

[@taraishot100]

it has for new zealand the allblacks have every rugby trophy rugby has to offer them at the moment they on top of the world at the moment

[@SonicDaBoss]

This weekend England may win I always have faith in my team when it comes to the All Blacks

[@SneakyTurtle296]

Ben Cohen with the original swallow dive at 24:01

[@MrBaddestofthebad]

the ref calls full time. The clocks almost always off by a little bit at the end of a match.

[@theric66]

@dancemusic23 at the time they used to leave the clock on all the time and ad d extra time at the end just like in football.

[@alphaacton]

ten years hav passed and the game has not got any better, look at the last world cup final.

[@censu9986]

Ali Williams and Andrew Hore playing their first test! No Marshal or Kelleher at half-back, and the centurians, Muliaina and McCaw weren't even on the team sheet! Wow, how the All Blacks have changed in 10 years

[@MeanAzz_13]

12:40 *Holah* with the pick up and *smash,* *Umaga* with the *intercept,* *Howlett* see you later *TRY!* 👍😁

[@finleybooth4914]

Yo! Hooray For You. cub ticket !!!

[@354sd]

Rugby now is so boring compared to this They need to bring back rucking to make the game less like british bulldog

[@englishredcoat]

after dropping a pass Jonny got a stamping. In front of the ref as well nothing said unbelievable

[@Kinzo999]

na igen,ezt a bemutatkozast hdn-kor;)

[@theenglishborn]

not sure but I suspect the "time off" was not around then and were still using football like extra time

[@barry1369]

I've met Leonard, Robinson, Healey and Johnson. I see Dalaglio in my local café.

[@robicenco1]

Ha ha. I see him at the barber shop across the street from my flat quite often. Going for a shave, presumably! :-D

[@AE-Rugby]

Good days...better when more teams are stronger....even if one of them is England....great stadium and fans ..just a shame about the rugby they play most of the time

[@budwhite1]

Well i would have loved to have seen the England team of 2000-2001 play the All Blacks in those years. They drew a series in South Africa that they dominated and should have won both in 2000 and both the boks and blacks were no great shakes in those years.....

[@justinstephenson9360]

It is fun looking at this game some 17.5 years later. First NZ try would now not be given, second NZ try would be called back for a tip tackle, Eng first try might have led to a NZ yellow card, NZ attack on 78 mins stopped by a seat belt tackle - penalty try and a yellow card. Other thoughts: scrum halves passed the ball much quicker then than now, Woodman had a stunning game and the Chris Ashton "Ash splash" was copied from Ben Cohen!

[@rabbitss11]

Not sure about that, NZ's first try would probably be given on the grounds there was 'no separation' between the player and ball, it would count now just as it counted then

[@vaughancapstick9961]

England in thier prime ❤

[@frankvendetta9230]

fuck yeah. What did Legendary Colin Meads said? "Win no mattter how just win"

[@englishredcoat]

I miss Woodman, Greenwood and Hill

[@MrAlvarete]

The golden era !!!!

[@proprioceptive44]

Six Nations and World Cup thats all that matters. Southern Hemishere would be Tri Nations World Cup; beating New Zealand in the Autumn of 2012 does not mean much when the World Cup is still 3 years away.

[@BonkersdanFTW]

SWING LOW SWEET CHARIOT!!!!!! (38-21 too boys)

[@craigybadfingers]

@Patrick Bourke I agree. But we know we're no good and we don't cry about it. We're not arrogant enough to think we have the right to win every game. And we're not cheaters. Happy to support wales whether they win or lose. Must suck to support a dirty side. But each to their own. Just gotta commend england for out classing you on every level :)

[@robertroberts2666]

Steve Thompson ie Shreck!

[@admiralbenbow5083]

JW did not have a particularly good game. For once! Best players for England Woodman and Thompson. Food for thought. At the final whistle we are reminded that this was only the 5th time we had beaten NZ. At this time France had beaten them 4 times. In New Zealand.

[@zephanish]

Moody seems to always put his body on the line