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

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.

England got a flying start after Matt Dawson charged down an attempted clearance by Byron Kelleher on his own try line in the second minute.

New Zealand were penalised in their desperation to recover and England opted for a lineout. It was cleanly won and from the ensuing maul captain Martin Corry drove over.

Charlie Hodgson converted from the touchline and the Twickenham crowd settled down to see how the All Blacks would respond.

It took a while as the two teams battled it out for supremacy in all areas but a moment of magic by Carter opened the door after 15 minutes.

His dart through the tackle of Corry on the 22 metre line sent him through and he was able to unload in the waiting arms of Umaga for the equalising score.

A tremendous tackle by Ben Cohen prevented the Umaga grabbing a second seven minutes later as the All Blacks' slick handling and almost uncanny ability to keep the ball alive in the tackle forced England to work desperately hard.

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