World Cup warning is posted to All Blacks by evolving England

England wrapped up their autumn campaign by giving New Zealand an almighty fright at Twickenham in a thrilling game fit for the World Cup final in two years’ time.

The 30-22 defeat in a pulsating game of momentum shifts and ferocious intensity marked the mid-point of the quadrennial cycle.

Although they were unable to replicate the fireworks of last December when they concluded that series with a rip-roaring win over the seemingly unbeatable All Blacks, they chipped away at the visitors’ aura of invincibility with a performance full of character and intent.

The defensive lapses that allowed New Zealand to score at the start and end of the game underline that Lancaster’s men are by no means the finished article.

But less than two years after inheriting a nation that were sixth in the world, England now stand third in the rankings and are rapping loudly on the door of second-placed South Africa.

Lancaster, who has targeted being in the top two by the World Cup, said: “We are 20 games into the World Cup cycle with 20 games to go and we’ve definitely made strides.

“The belief is there within the players that they can do it.”

Lancaster cited the difference in age of his players to that of the all-conquering All Blacks – who are on the verge of an unbeaten season with nine players over the age of 30 – as a positive sign of the gap being closed.

The oldest player in Saturday’s England team was 28-year-old scrum-half Lee Dickson.

“We’ve got a great group of young players who are going to be around for well beyond 2015,” said Lancaster.

“Some of the guys today were only 21, 22. The All Blacks are gradually changing, and it’s a challenge for any coach, when do you go through a transitional period?

“We went through ours in one go, in January, 2012. It was a situation I inherited, and ideally you’d like one or two going out at the top end being replaced by one or two at the bottom end.

“New Zealand have managed that transition very well.”

The obvious difference between the two teams is that for all the grunt up front, England lack the handful of gifted players who can turn a game on its head.

All Black No 8 Kieran Read plays like a winger, setting up the first try with an offload out of the tackle and finishing off the second.

Dan Carter is the most talented No 10 in world rugby and after a 26-minute cameo full of sublime kicking, his 100th cap was cut short as he hobbled off.

Although the spectacle was poorer for his absence, New Zealand boast further players like Ben Smith, Ma’a Nonu and Julian Savea who can turn mundane situations into try-scoring chances.

“You can’t coach that but equally you’ve got to have players who are proven in other areas,” said Lancaster.

“All players can improve and create moments of magic.

“We do have some very good young players coming through.

“Manu (Tuilagi) showed it last year, he can create something out of nothing, and that’s what you’re looking for, someone who can do all the good things and has an X-factor.

“Marland Yarde showed it in Argentina and Christian Wade has shown it. It’s these players we need to push through now and give an opportunity to.”

One of the positives from a series in which England won two of three games was the emergence of players like Mike Brown at full-back, and the strengthening of the bond between Courtney Lawes and Joe Launchbury in the second row. But Lancaster warned: “There won’t be any of those players thinking I’ve got a place sewn up for the World Cup.

“We’ve got two great hookers, a second row where a Lion in Geoff Parling can’t get in the team and a player in Ben Morgan who was outstanding a year ago but is suddenly thinking ‘when do I get a start?’

“That creates pressure and standards rise on the back of that pressure. That’s all part of the bigger picture we are working towards, while appreciating we need to get the results.”

Although disappointed his side could not complete the job after rallying from 17-3 down to take a 22-20 advantage deep in the second half, Lancaster was pleased with the maturity his players showed in not yielding.

Lancaster said: “That game management and game understanding are ticks in the boxes of a team that is developing. We’ve been in this position before, not too long ago. In Cardiff, we were 19-3 down and had to chase the game. We made errors that weren’t in keeping with what we planned to do.

“This time we didn’t panic, we stuck to the game plan and believed in what we were doing and our ability to get back into the game.

“If we want to be genuine contenders to win the World Cup then we have to look at the areas we didn’t get quite right. That’s the difference between winning and losing.

“We’ve lost two out of 11 this year but those games are the ones we’ll remember most. It’s a great motivation to come back with next year.”