Matt Dawson emerged from another tortuous experience at the House of Pain to declare that England can recover from their Carisbrook calamity.

The wheels came off England's World Cup chariot in spectacular fashion, derailed by an All Blacks team whose superior pace, power and invention guaranteed a flying start for new coach Graham Henry.

England though, left Dunedin reeling from their heaviest defeat since June 1998 when New Zealand crushed them 64-22 on the same ground and scrum-half Dawson was captain.

That seven-match trip became known as the 'Tour from Hell,' and England are in serious danger of suffering a similarly numbing experience unless they can turn things around for next Saturday's second Test at Eden Park, Auckland.

''The whole party are desperately disappointed,'' said Dawson, following a display which highlighted England's vulnerable state without World Cup talismen like Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson.

It was the first time in 47 Tests that England had suffered back-to-back defeats, and their success rate from six Tests since the World Cup triumph currently stands at a distinctly average 50 per cent.

Dawson continued: ''We were beaten by a much better side on the day, but that doesn't mean they are unbeatable and it doesn't mean we can't get it right in a week.

''The 30-odd professional players out here are going to do whatever it takes to get it right for next week.

''I am sure the All Blacks will expect us to go away and prepare to be a better team than we were on Saturday.

''There is nothing quite like a real hiding to kick yourself into gear.''

How England react presents Sir Clive Woodward and his coaching staff with one of their biggest challenges.

England's revered juggernaut pack stalled at the lineouts once again, underlining how much of an Achilles' heel it has become, while they were ruthlessly brushed aside in breakdown situations, where All Blacks trio Keith Robinson, Richie McCaw and Jono Gibbes all enjoyed field days.

Their much-admired defensive organisation also fell apart, with All Blacks wing Joe Rokocoko setting the tone by breaking four tackles on a weaving run straight from the kick-off.

And while England only 'lost' the second-half 6-0, an improved display couldn't mask some alarming deficiencies during the opening 40 minutes when Rokocoko, Carlos Spencer and Doug Howlett all scored tries.

England skipper Lawrence Dallaglio said: ''It was very disappointing for all of us. The scoreboard reflected how well New Zealand took their opportunities."

Dallaglio, for whom the result and performance represented a huge comedown following his recent trophy successes with Wasps, refused to blame fatigue as a mitigating factor.

New Zealand's 29th victory in 33 starts at Carisbrook - only the Lions and Australia have won there - was the Blacks' day - and a black day for England.

l Heart and passion will carry a team so far, but Scotland learned against Australia that the ability to produce composed, clinical rugby at crucial moments is what sets winners and losers apart.

It is a lesson in self-belief that will stand Scotland's inexperienced back division in good stead for the future, but it made defeat to the Wallabies in Melbourne no less painful to bear. A dominant second 20 minutes hauled Scotland back into the game and from 13-0 down Glasgow's Dan Parks landed four penalties to leave the match balanced by the interval.

Then came the telling passage. Although Scotland defended all day with passion and commitment, the ability to create an outlet to release the pressure was missing.

They were punished when Lote Tuqiri grabbed two scores before Wendell Sailor rounded off a tough examination with a soft try to complete a 35-15 win.

* Flanker Jason Forster would swap his Wales debut Test try against Argentina for a 50-44 victory. The 33-year-old Newport-Gwent Dragons star touched down 21 minutes into the second half of Wales' defeat in their opening summer tour Test at Tucuman.

Forster's effort was part of a gutsy Welsh fight-back after they had been 38-9 adrift seven minutes into the second period

But he said: ''I'd swap the try for a win any day. It's disappointing because we gave away soft tries and you can't do that at any level."

* Ireland's quest for a first Test win in South Africa collapsed after a series of second-half mistakes handed their hosts a comfortable 31-17 victory.

Conditions were perfect with a cloudless sky on a cool winter's day and the only late change to the teams was a positional one, with South Africa's Jacques Cronje moving to number eight and Pedrie Wannenburg swopping to go into the flank position