England is back.
Well, kind of. After a lacklustre first 30 minutes, England clawed their way back to totally dominate the second half with a 26-12 victory over world number one, New Zealand.
The Kiwis started the first Test ready to play and controlled the proceedings as England found their headspace still in the sheds.
Despite the lack of umph by the Lions, New Zealand found themselves under the pump in the last 15 minutes of the first half as England started to get some possession.
If the English couldn’t find their rhythm in the first half, then the New Zealanders lost theirs in the second as England maintained their ramped up intensity for the entire second half.
The English forwards, absent in the first half, woke up and thundered over the advantage line with some big runs by their big men making big plays and the much vaunted Kiwi monsters were kept quiet.
Their pressure forced the Kiwis in uncharacteristic errors. Time and time again, the New Zealanders found themselves dropping the ball, knocking it on and giving away silly penalties.
Graham, O’Loughlin, Whitehead, Burgess and Man of the Match Brett Ferres with his two tries all played vital parts in the English resurgence.
Well done England on a mature victory.
Mamma
Guest
Funny no-one agrees with you and now we have a neutral ref for the last 2 tests
pete bloor
Guest
"Ultimately though if there are doubts over a referees bias he shouldn’t be doing the job at any level full stop, these are professionals doing their job." So if a referee is capable of doing their job then their origin shouldn't matter with regards to bias.
Mamma
Guest
You say a neutral ref is a red herring but don't give any evidence why...
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
They've got a lot more grit now. They play for the full 80 minutes. Couple that with their more 'ad lb' looking play and well, there is a recipe for some good food right there. I'm quite optimistic about England now.
Tripehound
Guest
Hi Sleiman, it's always interesting to hear other folks take on things, especially when they are looking through the lens of a different competition/national perspective. As I mentioned previously the fact that a decent number of the English side are now playing in the NRL brings a different style, attitude and intensity to the squad, added of course to the coach being at a top Aussie club. This being melded together with the Super League contingent makes for a very interesting mix. For too long now (since the 1982 Kangaroo tour) the England/GB side has attempted to win test series and competitions by adopting the Australasian style with perennial under achievement. For me the way for England to start winning test matches on a consistent basis is to take the intensity level and discipline from down under but to blend our own natural style of playing rather than just trying to muscle up and copy the teams down under. As inexperienced as our half back combination is at last we are actually staring matches with two proper half backs rather than a loose forward being moved into the stand off position, which is what has happened from the early 90's onwards (Phil Clarke, Andy Farrell, Paul Sculthorpe, Kevin Sinfield). I know we've only had the one match thus far and one swallow doesn't make a summer, but for the first time in a long time I'm confident that England have a real platform to build on and this can only be good for the game as a whole and not just my partisan outlook.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I agree. New Zealand looked fine when their forwards were on top. Maybe not Johnson-Foran fine but the team looked structured enough. England looked fine once their forwards started competing. I wouldn't say great but there is still time. You know, the more I reflect on the game, the more positives I start to see from it. I think the English style of play is so much more enjoyable to watch.
Tripehound
Guest
The ref business is a red herring. An Australian referee officiated the Oz v England game in last years four nations comp and there are plenty of other examples. What can sometimes appear a little strange is when a ref that you're not used to seeing applies his style as is used in his domestic competition. Ultimately though if there are doubts over a referees bias he shouldn't be doing the job at any level full stop, these are professionals doing their job. I must agree with Stu regarding Lolohea, considering his inexperience I thought he did pretty well. When NZ had control through their pack in the first 25 minutes he looked fine, the England rookie Williams looked all at sea. When momentum shifted Williams became much more influential and showed some of the form that got him the nod in the first place. The forwards coming off the bench did a sterling job for England, Roby zipped things up around the ruck area and I was really impressed with Cooper, he's come on leaps and bounds at the Dragons. There are quite a few of the English players plying their trade in the NRL now and two more, Whitehead and Joe Burgess, to join their ranks next year, this has really benefitted the national team and adds an extra element than just selecting players from Super League, there is a nice blend beginning to happen. It will be interesting to see what Kearney does with his pack for this Saturdays game.
Mamma
Guest
Any chance of a neutral ref next time - home town ref - unbelievable...
Renegade
Roar Guru
Replay was on Fox Sports yesterday. The 2nd and 3rd tests will be live on Fox Sports.
E-Meter
Guest
You've got that right. I can't even find a highlights package anywhere. It's a complete disgrace that this game wasn't shown live on some Australian TV network.
Stu
Guest
It's Lolohea's first test you have to give him time, the real problem was the forward pack got dominated. Benji won't fix that. Matulino & Bromich have to start with Taupau starting at lock. Glenn, Moa and Taukeiaho on the bench.
Cedric
Guest
your right the Kiwis' desperate defence saved 2 or 3 what appeared to be certain trys. Pity the Kiwis' couldn't get desperate on attack like their 1st 25mins. The Brits applied a bit of pressure and the Kiwis' fell apart. He has too get Benji on a plane asap. Or sit down with Lolohea and convince the young fella it's not that hard, just run the game. It appeared to me Lolohea thought he had to win the game by himself! Kearney should roll the tape of Johnson without Foran when the Kiwis' played the Roos', I think that was the 1st time I had seen Johnson run the team, I think the Roos' won? But Johnson alone must have seen that if he didn't do the business it was going to be a hiding! This could be a good series, as you can see the Brits do have some talent there!
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I simply like the fact that the English changed their attitude DURING the game. They didn't wait until the match was over to 'regroup' and all of that. That, to me, is a good sign for them. Best of luck to them too.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's right. If they England had only just won, you could have an argument that was negative but really, New Zealand were trounced. Only some desperate last moment defence kept England from crossing the line a couple more times. It's like the game against the French. If England only beat them by 20 points, then there is a case that England still aren't that crash hot. But they literally annihilated them, the way and Australian team would be expected to. England are on the up. No doubt about it.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It's often a lot more fun watching Super League than NRL, lots of open ball movement. But I get why NRL is 'better'.
parra
Guest
You can only play what's in front of you on the day. England did and won. All credit to them. Rugby league needs more exposure over there. A series win should help.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Tomkins didn't play at fullback,so the Poms do have e further options.He played far better on the softer filed of the old dart. Any rl test side down 10 nil and gets up to win the game with grit and determination ,deserves some plaudits. Three test series,so much for the comment by the knockers. they don't take it seriously and it is not International.
Mike from Tari
Guest
Not up to the ARLC together this on TV, obviously the Aussie TV people didn't think or try to get advertising or Foxtel are still pissed off with the ARLC for leaving them out of the negotiations with Ch9, but with all the crappy repeated different sports they are dishing up to subscribers at the moment you would think they would snap it up, needless to say I don't think I am getting my money's worth at the moment & Union is not the same as League.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Yeah, it was a weird game but it was also a good demonstration of the change in England's grit. And that alone made it worth watching.
Cedric
Guest
700k for Taupau, wow, what's happening at Manly, hmm me thinks when Toov's was shown the door somethings happening there? Congrats to England, but what a weird game. Firstly Kiwis' in total control then England takes control. The English looked uninterested in the 1st half, then decided they had a chance while Kiwis decided after a while that they would stop doing what they were doing as it appeared they would just roll the Brits, talk about shoot yourself in the foot. Why was Matalino off the bench, NZ pre game show said maybe to mix it up, nooooooooo!!! Hiku is a pretty good center, I think alot better than Kahu, but not a 6, and poor young Lolohea decided he would try a few Houdini plays only to be found out. On the pre game show Lolohea said he was hoping that these tests would give him some confidence, That's when my jaw dropped and I began to fell uneasy!!!!!! 2 captains didn't work, niether could right the ship. Boy oh boy they miss the big 4 ( Mannering/Manu/Johnson and Foran ) and JWH. You've got Bromich and Matalino and you decide to bench one, I don't get it, Moa is great off the bench with his direct running. Blair at 13, I don't think so. Kiwis' need a half, Lolohea has had 2 goes and failed, can Nikorema do it? BENJI are you still fit??? Maybe, then drop Lolohea and bring Glenn on at 13 and bench Blair.