New Zealand captain Richie McCaw (top) and Ma’a Nonu tackle England’s Marland Yarde, at Eden Park, yesterday.

A rusty New Zealand needed a late try from Conrad Smith for a 20-15 win in the first test against an understrength England in Auckland yesterday as they struggled to snuff out the challenge of a visiting side reduced to 14 men for most of the final 10 minutes.

Winger Marland Yarde’s yellow card in the 68th minute for a professional foul turned the match in New Zealand’s favour with Aaron Cruden slotting his fifth penalty to give the All Blacks their first lead of the game.

Smith then scored a 78th minute try to give the All Blacks the victory that extended their winning streak at Eden Park to 32 games, and their current run of test victories to 15, though few New Zealand fans would have been left satisfied after such a scratchy opening performance in the three-test series.

“We expected England to be a very good side and that’s what we got,” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said in a TV interview.

“We had to work for it but when you come off limited preparations you are going to be rusty and we were.

“Our handling at times was very poor, from our strike plays we let ourselves down a bit, but we showed really good mental fortitude to stay in the game.

“I think we controlled the game in the second half but didn’t put them away because of our errors.

“Happy to take the win but clearly work to be done before next week.”

The tourists, who were written off during the week because several first team players only arrived in the country on Wednesday following the England club final, showed they would be a force at next year’s World Cup with their developing depth and all-round game.

Unlike England sides of the past, they were prepared to spread the ball wide with Manu Tuilagi, who tore the All Blacks to shreds two years ago at Twickenham, again the focal point of their attack yesterday, constantly threatening the opponents’ line and making ground.

England now head to the second test in Dunedin with supreme confidence and a full squad to pick from.

“I’m very pleased with the guys, we’ve got two games remaining in the series in New Zealand and that’s what it’s all about,” England captain Chris Robshaw told reporters.

“We’re disappointed but it’s a three game series and... we’re going to get better no doubt.”

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