Papua New Guinea also beat us in 1990. And that was also the year we came closest to winning the Ashes in the last 40 years. Perhaps international RL was of a high stamdard back then!!!!

Hardly think the Kiwis will be bricking it after that awful second half! We just seemed to go away from everything that had worked in the first 40, is that the players going away from the game plan? Chase, Chase, what a waste of space!

He seemed to want to fight all the game. A better team would have got him sent off easily.

Our centres are also woeful.

Sinfield can kick goals, but he's poor at stand off, far too slow.

Englands perfomance tonight was pedestrian. On that display we'll get hammered next week. Thankfully our pack is not bad at all. So we have every chance.

Jesus wept. Australia and New Zealand have both made errors and looked a bit lethargic and off their game at times against teams they are about to beat easily. You can only play what's in front of you and England did enough, tried a bit of flair, made a few errors and generally didn't over-exert themselves hugely.

France gave it a shot but were terrible in attack - their ball-handling and decision-making was awful. Their defence was excellent at times but inconsistent. They were never going to win.

Whatever. This is the same England team that stood up massively to Australia in Cardiff and but for a few terrible calls from the officials could have won. This England team has all the potential in the world and if they could perform for a full 80, could beat anyone. My one reservation is Chase - a brilliantly skilled player but no-one else seems to know what he's doing half the time.

Don't get to watch much SL.

Is Rangi Chase the best Stand Off in SL? Really?

Graham was superb, great hands for a big fella. The game looked lethargic and was sloppy. NZ are easily beatable. Chuck Widdop and Burrows on for next game. We need to do what our antipodean friends do. When we get in front, put your foot harder on their throats, not start trying to mess around and do stuff different.

Ruthless and Relentless. We can beat the kiwis. No Problem.

Cronus,

I wish to god McNamara read these pages and jettisoned Chase as far away from the squad as possible. He hasn't worked in all his internationals to date. He should have looked good against France but he looked rubbish.

Shame he will never get dropped while we have sulky in charge of the national team. Maybe the next coach will not bother with him and we can actually have a new half back pairing (surely Sinfield will retire after the tournament).

I have nothing much against Chase but playing like that against NZ would have killed us off stone dead. He was a liability. You cannot afford someone playing like that against Aus or NZ.

Some players know their guaranteed a spot for NZ match wether they play good or not. Chase being one of them! So 100% effort and concentration not needed for them! SOL, Graham, Hall, Ferres all had good games IMO and the team will raise their game against the kiwis!

God the Kiwis are going to wind up chase like their is no tomorrow at Wembley. This will end up with chase being a even bigger liability IMO.

Yep, If Luke doesn't succeed in removing his foot he may well be forced from the field for other reasons.

Hypothetical posturing:Had France kept out 2 soft tries ( Charnley 2 )and been able to finish off at least 2 of their attacking opportunities the score would have reflected a much closer game.theyre not a bad side but it also highlights Englands persistent flaw.inconsistency bring that game to NZ it'll be goodnight tater