I thought we let NZ off the hook at times, particularly through our kicking. First 25 minutes or so we troubled them quite easily, our forwards were rolling forward with the ball and defensively we were able to slow them down. No front foot opportunities at all for Johnson. Had we kicked the ball a bit better, I think we’d have got more reward for it.

25 mins or so in the game became a bit scrappy. Couple of questionable decisions by Robert Hicks and it became a bit stop start. The intensity definitely dropped, couple of loose passes and lapses in concentration.

Second half followed a similar pattern, intense too start but became loose as it went on (to be expected). I never felt at any stage during the game that their pack was troubling us, they only came into the game on the back of our errors/penalties which is obviously a positive.

I thought we looked dangerous when we moved the ball but I don’t think we did it enough. We got a try from it when Bateman cut back to the other side of the ruck, Elliot Whitehead made a break in the second half when Williams and Lomax combined (the only time in the game that they did), we created a 2 v 1 down the right edge when the NZ player knocked the ball down. Gildart’s try came from a bit of ball movement as well so I think more of that is needed. Was an outstanding finish, his footwork is really underrated. Very good.

For me, we need to kick a lot, lot better though, we gave them far too many easy outs. Also think we need to show more composure when we do get into their half. There were a couple of sets on their line where we didn’t throw anything at them and there was a distinct lack of organisation and control and the forwards needed more direction. Didn’t get to the right points on the park often enough for me. Lacking a genuine half in both those cases.

Individual wise, I thought most went OK. Josh Hodgson looks a much better player when he keeps it simple and either distributes from the deck or exploits a quick PTB. Too often he takes too many steps or tries to do too much and it makes it tough for the other lads to run off him. Someone above mentioned Jonny Lomax but I thought he went OK actually. Made some tough carries on his own line and defensively dealt with everything, also had a hand in the try. It wasn’t a game for the out-side backs and as I say, he didn’t get any ball in space. He wasn’t given the ball once at 3rd receiver and as a 1, it’s extremely difficult to get yourself into the game without abandoning the structure that the coaches have set up. Bateman and Whitehead were very good, Thompson took some stick but kept coming, Hill I thought was good, the forwards were always in control. Half backs, I’m still not sure on due to the reasons I’ve listed. Williams kept hold of the ball a little bit too much I thought. Difficult for Tomkins though because he isn’t a 7 so it’s to be expected. Hopefully another weeks training will help him if Bennett chooses to select him there again. I think he’s good enough to develop that in a week when they watch the video.

Some good signs though, I thought we looked a lot more dominant when we stepped things up.

Upon reflection I was quick to judge Connor, he was much better in the second half, defending against Joseph Manu is no easy task and he's still pretty new to international football. I like him in the super league and if he gets games I'd like to see him with more ball in the next 2 matches.

I always enjoy reading your posts and I reckon I could have a decent guess at your line of work, are there no vacancies at Red Hall for a man with your credentials?

This....and more of it!

Bought my tickets in February when I was really looking forward to the game, I was less positive this week looking at the distinct loss in the England squad quality since the World Cup, although it is good to see two actual centres playing. Felt we are in with a chance this series but had to win today when the weather and Kiwis are cold.

Crowd today was very poor, and quiet. Don't think £50 is unreasonable for the best seat in the house, and I got a discount on that because I bought tickets for all three games. These are the two best teams that will play in this country this year, and it was twenty quid when I went to see a Super League game earlier this year and that was dog awful. If the regular weekly fans don't want or can't afford international games then market them to someone else.

Really think the international game is the best shot of a prosperous future, its the only high quality product we have and we should be playing a series like this against a Tier 1 nation in the UK every year, a summer international window would allow us to do that when we are going overseas at the end of the season. ON top of that RL in the UK need to invest in youth players more or the continual decline in the squad quality will make the game impossible to sell to anyone.

As for today, thought we were a little slow coming forward in defence and lacked ideas in attack, particularly in the kicking department. Would drop Tomkins as he created nothing, can't kick and is a liability in defence. Can't see how Bateman is getting praise, he was looking for niggle far too much, doesn't know when to pass and makes too many mistakes. The newer members of the team mostly impressed me though.

Referee was poor and failed to control the game. Another example of letting the game flow benefiting one side over another. When I saw the NZ coach on the big screen it explained a lot about their game plan/tackling techniques.

Don’t you know that half of RLfans is marketing geniuses who’d do a better job....they just can’t be bothered applying which is quite ironic given they usually slag of the RFL for lack of effort

Even when he’s trying to be funny he makes a fool of himself - classic!

Do you think that Myler would have been better than Tomkins and if not, who would you play instead of him.
Regarding Bateman, I thought he had an excellent game and despite the attention of 3 defenders, he put Gildart away to win the game for England.
Although Tomkins struggled to create too much, he's still the only England player with the "x" factor and for me, he should keep the shirt.

TM did ok tbf and I don’t think TJ would have done any better. However ‘outstanding’ no not even close mate.

I'd like to see ST take the line on. Agree he should keep the shirt as we totally lack any international class half backs, and our game is a dull shadow of itself as a consequence.
All we get is a forward battle, which England just about shaded. The excitement is now only due to just the closeness of the scoreline rather than any skill factor on show. Great persistence from Gildart for his try, but awful defence on NZ's part - same for England allowing the try from the scrum.

I don't think Big Sam would agree with this comment.

If he's to stay in the starting 13, then it needs to be at 1. He doesn't offer enough as a middle pivot.