WORCESTER'S Pat Sanderson remains convinced that New Zealand are beatable despite their 23-19 win against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

The home side came tantalisingly close to ruining the tourists' grand-slam dreams but failed to conjure a winning score even with three All Blacks spending time in the sin-bin.

Sanderson cut a dejected figure afterwards but felt England had matched Graham Henry's side and played down the failure to press home the numerical advantage.

"I think we rattled them," Sanderson said. "They were flat-out but they've got some very, very good players. It was a case of nearly, but not quite.

"We missed a big chance. I think their players were in the sin-bin for the right reasons but New Zealand are an extraordinary team -- they've shown that with the results that they've got.

"Ultimately, though, they're still just 15 players, as we are.

"It would be wrong to say they're not beatable because they are -- they've been beaten this year by South Africa and we went close.

"It was hard graft for 80 minutes but we knew that's what we had to do to get anything out of it. It's hugely disappointing not to win. We got stuck into them and didn't take a backward step at any point.

"Apart from one or two moments of magic, we pretty much shut them down. We just need to win those tight games.

"The overriding emotion is one of disappointment that we didn't convert the pressure."

It was another strong individual showing by Sanderson, the highlight being a gallop down the left flank that almost led to a try, and head coach Andy Robinson described his number six as "tremendous in attack and defence".

"I've played against them a few times -- it seems whenever I get picked we play New Zealand," Sanderson said.

"I enjoyed my run down the wing and enjoyed the game again -- it's a good experience playing at Twickenham, one you don't forget in a hurry, and again the crowd were fantastic and you really felt they were behind you.

"I just wish looking back that we could have delivered for them. When you're out there in front of 50,000 Englishmen you absolutely don't want to let anybody down."