Carter inspires All Blacks to victory at Twickenham

New Zealand remained on course for their second-ever grand slam after flyhalf Dan Carter inspired them to a 23-19 victory over England in a thunderous test at Twickenham yesterday.

Carter's elusive running set up tries for captain Tana Umaga and hooker Keven Mealamu and he also kicked 13 points as the All Blacks added the scalp of the world champions to those of Ireland and Wales.

But after the easy victories of the last two weeks they had to produce a formidable defensive display to hold out England, who drove forward relentlessly in the second half as the Tri-nations champions spent the last 23 minutes reduced to 14 men after three yellow cards.

The All Blacks now face Scotland at Murrayfield next week as they seek their second clean sweep after their success of 1978 and there seems little chance of them failing to achieve it.

Australia end losing run

Australia beat Ireland 30-14 at Lansdowne Road to end their worst losing streak for 36 years at seven games.

The teams looked evenly matched in the opening half but three Australian tries in the second ensured the visitors a well-deserved victory.

Winger Drew Mitchell scored a brace of tries for the tourists with fullback Chris Latham providing the third, while Mat Rogers's boot served up the other 15 points for the Wallabies.

Winger Shane Horgan scored Ireland's only try three minutes from the end of the game but it was too late to close the gap.

Other results: France vs Tonga 43-8; Italy vs Argentina 22-39.