Do we still care about grand slam tours? If so, the headlines might read that New Zealand’s first attempt at one in 15 years has fallen at the third attempt out of four. But as the All Blacks hung their heads at the end and the English went wild with celebration all around, it is reasonable to think the grand slam was the last thought on their minds.
More pressing will be the 25 unanswered points they conceded in the middle of the match, which will echo to the 17 they conceded last Saturday at Murrayfield. On that occasion they summoned the composure to prevail. This time, they were up against a stroppy England team who are increasingly enjoying the directive to be in an opponent’s face from start to finish.
