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England international Riki Flutey - Source: Photosport -
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British rugby writers gave a second-string All Blacks the benefit of the doubt but rounded on "woeful" England ahead of their rugby test at Twickenham next weekend.
Few All Blacks who started the scratchy 20-6 win over Italy at Milan's San Siro will back up next weekend but the Sunday Telegraph's Steve James was impressed with what they offered.
"As the All Blacks head for London today what was there for woeful England to make of this ahead of next Saturday's encounter?
"To be honest, the hardly startling news that New Zealand's seconds could beat them. This was enough evidence of that sort of strength in depth, with 12 changes from the side that overcame Wales last weekend.
"It was not a stunning performance but not many reserve sides would have prevailed here. Even with three debutants in the backline, nobody looked anything less than test class."
In the Sunday Times, Stephen Jones issued England a dire warning after they scraped past Argentina 16-9.
"The current New Zealand squad are far from being invincible. The traditional passion, the beautiful organisation, the dynamism of the collective and the cheating at the breakdown sets them apart as ever but only masks their many individual deficiencies," Jones wrote.
"However average New Zealand may be, if England play like they did yesterday and against Australia last weekend, the All Blacks' winning margin will be between 35 and 65 points."
Jones said next Sunday was D-Day for England coach Martin Johnson after his side produced "two shockers" in their two most recent tests.
And he provided some left-field suggestions if Johnson continued to struggle.
"The game against New Zealand also provides one final chance to find an excuse not to ring Ian McGeechan to offer him the post of head coach, and not to ring Sir Clive Woodward to bring him back in the elite role that suits him so beautifully."
