The stadium was still shrouded in smoke from the pre-match fireworks as Welsh referee Nigel Williams set the second Test in motion.

England fly-half Charlie Hodgson kicked off, and unlike in Dunedin, the ball fell well short of All Blacks wing Joe Rokocoko, whose magical 60-metre break at Carisbrook had left the world champions reeling.

England won their first lineout, via Borthwick’s clean catch, but England infringed through wing Ben Cohen and New Zealand gained field position 10 metres inside their opponents’ half.

Holah’s first contribution was to run clear in space, and it took a hacked clearance from England flanker Richard Hill to avert danger with Muliaina bearing down on him.

England responded by surging back upfield, and Hodgson booted them into a sixth-minute lead after the All Blacks pulled down a scrum.

England showed no sign of nerves, and they were immediately back on the attack through runs by Worsley, Simon Shaw and Trevor Woodman.

The All Blacks midfield defence drifted offside as they reorganised, and Hodgson’s second short-range penalty made it 6-0.

Tempers were frayed, and it erupted into violence on 12 minutes, with England paying a huge price.

Punches were exchanged, but touch judge Andrew Cole flagged after Shaw waded into opposite number Keith Robinson with his knee.

After a delay while the officials consulted, Wasps lock Shaw was red-carded. He became only the third England player to be sent off in Test match history, and the first since Danny Grewcock against New Zealand six years ago.

It was a savage blow for England, who were reduced to 14 men with almost 70 minutes of the game remaining, and All Blacks centre Daniel Carter immediately cut the deficit with a penalty.

Three England players - Gomarsall, Abbott and Hill - received treatment for knocks in quick succession, and it was backs to the wall for the tourists' seven forwards.

Skipper Lawrence Dallaglio moved up into the second row at lineout time, but New Zealand entered the second quarter, still having failed to cross England’s line.

England were giving as good as they got, and they should have extended their lead, but Hodgson sent an angled drop-goal attempt wide from 30 metres under no pressure.

The game had calmed down following Shaw’s dismissal, and England were more than content to keep New Zealand inside their own half.

It was valiant stuff from the world champions, but they suffered an injury blow when Abbott was forced off, to be replaced by Wasps team-mate Fraser Waters, who was first capped on tour in North America three years ago.

Remarkably, despite all the setbacks, England were still ahead, relying on huge levels of courage and resilience.

New Zealand could not establish consistently threatening field positions, hindered by England’s ferociously-committed tackling, and as half-time approached, the more it looked as though England would preserve their narrow advantage.

Right on cue though, Rokocoko blazed clear and sent Carter sprinting clear into space.

Voyce pulled off a superb tackle on the All Blacks centre, but referee Williams went to video official Matt Goddard to check the touchdown.

It was awarded in New Zealand’s favour, with Carter appearing to have scored, although Rokocoko rapidly followed through with downward pressure. Carter’s conversion made it 10-6.

England then suffered another injury loss, losing their second centre as Tindall departed to be replaced by his Bath colleague Olly Barkley.

Things could not get any worse for Woodward’s men, and they trooped off at half-time having had one player sent off and both centres depart injured.