Recap: England 26-12 New Zealand

1. Eng tries - Josh Hodgson, Brett Ferres (2), O'Loughlin
2. NZ tries - Tohu Harris, Sam Moa
3. England take 1-0 Test series lead
4. "Lots to work on" - McNamara
5. Second Test on Sat 7 Nov 14:30 GMT

England 26-12 New Zealand

The England RL big top rolls south next week for the second Test at the London Olympic Stadium.

We'll be there with all outlets blazing as television, radio and website cover England's attempt to bring an early end to this series.

See you there.

England 26-12 New Zealand

The chat on the Red Button forum has moved on to the hot topic of Sam Burgess's future.

The latest reports claim that South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson, who finalised the team's signing of Burgess from Bradford six years ago, has flown over for this Test series between England and New Zealand and hopes to negotiate a deal to buy the dual-code international back from Bath.

Things are coming to a head fast on that issue.

Robbie Hunter-Paul

Former New Zealand international

"New Zealand have got to go down to London with a new frame of mind. You saw towards the back end of the second half, that when they got tired their shape disappeared. 

"There was no attacking formation, no option to capitalise on if they had a quick turnover."

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach, BBC Two

"I got a few funny looks when I said this earlier but I think England should win this series 3-0. It's not arrogance but comes instead from a belief in the growth of this side. 

"The way they built pressure, kicked the ball, rolled a very good New Zealand side, this shows what England can do, and they are only going to get better. 

"This win today will give them that belief. The challenge for them is to keep a lid on things and realise that New Zealand will be better next week."

Jon Wilkin

Former England international

"One of my criticisms of British sport is that there seems to be a sense of being happy to finish second.

"The challenge tonight was to get over the line and beat a top side like New Zealand - and in terms of overcoming that mental barrier, this win was a huge result."

Tomkins enjoying victory

Sam Tomkins - who is sitting out the series with a knee injury - has enjoyed that one.

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach, BBC 5 live sports extra

Getty Images

"England really grew into the game and they ended up dominating. The front row was magnificent. 

"James Roby and Tom Burgess turned the match, and with Chris Hill and Brett Ferres too,  those four were crucial for Steve McNamara's side."

'England can't relax'

Jon Wilkin

Former England international

"If England relax after tonight they are kidding themselves. New Zealand were walking at the end, there was some really poor body language - they were tired. 

"England need to be better next week. I'm sure that's what Steve McNamara will be saying too."

England 26-12 New Zealand

Joyful scenes in the England dressing room as Paul Wellens - now part of the coaching staff bangs flip-flop against cool-box to lead the team in a celebratory sing-song.

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott - who played cheerleader at the team's shirt presentation ceremony earlier this week - is down in the dressing room to press the flesh and kiss any babies.

New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney: "In the second half we didn't execute what we wanted to. That was the disappointing thing, but England put a lot of pressure on us. They did a great job in defence. 

"We've got plenty of improvement in us though. We had a couple of opportunities we didn't take as well as we could have done, but we move to next week. 

"England were marvelous tonight, and we've got a really tough challenge ahead of us." 

England up

England coach Steve McNamara: "In the first half we put ourselves under a lot of pressure, we looked out of sorts. But we started to come back towards the back end of the half, that really set ourselves up for the second and we finished the game very strongly.

"I had to support the players' feelings at half-time. Physically we weren't in the game and we needed to change that. Thankfully we did. 

"There is lots to work on for next week, both teams can perform a lot better than that. These are tough games though, and with only a six-day turnaround, recovery is the number one priority right now."

Player reaction

Getty Images

England's man of the match Brett Ferres:"We wanted to start the well, put in good performance, and this this is something for us to build on. It was a tough battle in the middile, the Kiwis have got a lot of big boys. 

"It wasn't the start we wanted but we grew during the game."

England forward Sean O'Loughlin: "All three Test matches will be important but we knew we had to get off to good start. 

"Both teams will want to improve and I think we both will have by next week. We spoke about how close we've been for a couple of years now and this series is all about getting over the line."

Red Button forum

They think it is all over for BBC Two. It is, but the Red Button comes to the rescue.

Mark Chapman will be putting questions to Brian Noble, Robbie Hunter-Paul and Jon Wilkin on England's performance.

Plus, former cross-code star Jonathan Davies will be giving his views about the future of Sam Burgess...

Send us your questions using #bbcrl on Twitter. You can also text on 81111 from UK mobiles.   

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Nick Settle: well done on the win tonight boys, brilliant 2nd half performance. 1 up in the series, get in there.

Game that got away: Still think there's much more to come from NZ as well. Bring on the next two Tests!

Jay Dub-Ya: England better pull their socks up next week. Poor ref decisions killed off the kiwis, they'll be looking for blood next week  

Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half

"On the back of this performance England will go into the next Test with confidence and I really hope they wrap it up. They were worthy winners today."

England 26-12 New Zealand

PA

Were England undercooked after their warm-up butchering of France last weekend?

They certainly looked like they took a little time to get up to speed.

Tests follow over the next two Saturdays at the Olympic Stadium and DW Stadium.

Full time

The hooter blares and England will head to London 1-0 up in the series.

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Former England coach John Kear: "England have really earned this. They started very tentatively but they've totally dominated in the second half and the scoreboard reflects that."

Conversion - Widdop

Gareth Widdop sticks it over and England have come home very strong.

Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half

"Sean O'Loughlin just bumped off the challenges. Pfff! He came in for a really big hit off Adam Blair but the New Zealand lad came off second best.

"It's really fitting that one of the forward scores again to end this game."     

TRY - O'Loughlin

That is good night Wellington.

Sean O'Loughlin bounces off Adam Blair with a massive shoulder step and then brushes through Kevin Proctor to cross and bring the contest to an end.

Adam Blair is still collecting his senses as Gareth Widdop lines up the kick...

England 20-12 New Zealand

England with a fresh set of six within ten metres. I think they are going to try and run the clock down...

England 20-12 New Zealand

Tom Burgess dumps former Souths team-mate Isaac Luke flat on his back with an enormous hit.

Fearsome stuff. England's interchange has been big. Burgess and Roby bringing bulk and ballistics.

Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half

"The clock is New Zealand's enemy now. They know they have to score the next time they get the ball."

England 20-12 New Zealand

An over-cooked kick from the Kiwis bobbles harmless out of the in-goal area.

They have come off the boil horribly after a promising first half.

England 20-12 New Zealand

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck knocks on from a rotten pass from Adam Blair and the KC Stadium crowd enjoyed that close to the England line.

More time taken out of the clock as England take their time over the subsequent set.

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England 20-12 New Zealand

The Kiwis are getting a bit more ball now, handed another set of six as England knock on going for the interception.

There is an overlap! The Kiwis streaming down the left wing, men over, but Ryan Hall gets up and out of the defensive line and into Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's grill.

Ball goes forward off Hall, but he has saved a try there. A price he will happily pay.

England 20-12 New Zealand

New Zealand are looking to ruffle England feathers and knock the hosts out of their stride.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall lands a cheap-shot swinging arm on Zak Hardaker as the pair grapple on the floor. It wasn't a vicious one, but a sly dig nonetheless and Hardaker bounces up and goes nose-to-nose with the Kiwi.

Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half

"That was a real opportunity for England, but what a a tremendous tackle! I was sure that was going to be a try but that was a real game-saving challenge.

"New Zealand realise they have got to make something happen now. The clock is against them."

England 20-12 New Zealand

Superb tackle! A possible game-winner, certainly a try-saver as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck comes hammering across to halt Elliot Whitehead as he seems to be sliding over the whitewash.

England 20-12 New Zealand

Sam Moa knocks on as he tries to deal with the combination of a floaty pass and Gareth Widdop rushing up in his face.

New Zealand leaving sets of six uncompleted.

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England 20-12 New Zealand

Knock-on and a let-off for New Zealand. 

England are at them like rabid dogs though. Furious pace and fizzing aggression.

England 20-12 New Zealand

Can England keep this win in the can?

They are chasing another score to make it secure. Chris Hill rumbling up to within five metres...

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Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half

"Brett Ferres' first try was a brilliant angled run but this is a very clever finish. He didn't seem to have anticipated the ball but rolled just as he hit the defensive line. 

"England have dominated this second half, and now they've turned the pressure into points."

CONVERTED TRY - Ferres

Brett Ferres skips though a hole in the New Zealand defence and is in under the posts.Gareth Widdop slaps over the conversion and England suddenly are eight points clear.

Improbable based on the first half. But their lead is only going to get bigger based on the second so far...

England 14-12 New Zealand

The England physio is asking James Roby where he is and what his name is.

The hooker has been flattened a tad late by Sam Moa. Moa on report, penalty England. 

England 14-12 New Zealand

Gareth Widdop flings the mispass but Shaun Kenny-Dowall has read it and nabs the interception.

Pressure relieved for the Kiwis.

England 14-12 New Zealand

A bounce of the ball and a referee's call go England's way.

Ryan Hall stabbed kick deflect off an New Zealand leg and into another Kiwi's mitts.

Offside, and not accidental rules the ref. Harsh. England are not arguing, they have another set of six within sight of the New Zealand line.

England 14-12 New Zealand

Joe Burgess making yards down the right wing for England. England up to within 20m with three tackles down...

Former England coach John Kear on BBC Two: "Tremendous defensive work from Dean Whare. But I felt England should have gone for the kick into the corner when they had the chance."

England 14-12 New Zealand

Disappointing for England as they opt to run a kickable penalty and walk straight into the freight train that is Dean Whare.

The Kiwi machine shovel an England runner into touch to secure the turnover.

He is having a mighty game.

England 14-12 New Zealand

England's start has been electric, but they have been made to look good by a misfiring Kiwi side. 

Half-back Tuimoala Lolohea dislodges the ball from his own grasp as he pumps the knees high and hard en route to contact.   

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Eorl Crabtree

Former England prop forward

"This is already a completely different England team to the one that started that first half. The intensity has really been lifted. 

"They need to maintain this intensity now, stay in the New Zealand players' faces."

England 14-12 New Zealand

England building from deep after New Zealand's slick handling splutters and George Williams pings a superb kick up into the corner early in the set to take England up into prime territory.

Former England coach John Kear on BBC Two: "It was a great set from the first kick-off from England and they've started so much more brightly, with a load of intent. I've been particularly impressed by Joe Burgess.

"This puts seeds of doubt into the minds of the New Zealand players now. They're behind for the first time in the game."   

PENALTY - Widdop

Getty Images

Over she goes and England are in front for the first time in the match.

England 12-12 New Zealand

England with the penalty bang in front as Mike Cooper is yanked back by the scruff of the neck by Jesse Bromwich.

Gareth Widdop calls for the tee.

England 12-12 New Zealand

Kallum Watkins snaps into a tackle on Isaac Luke and the ball pops out of the Kiwi co-captain's pouch.

England have made a huge improvement on their first-half start already.

England 12-12 New Zealand

England up to within five metres, Liam Farrell stopped just short.

New Zealand have been rocked back on their heels and have to play from their own line once again.

England 12-12 New Zealand

A cracking first set of six for England as they return the ball right up to within sight of the New Zealand posts.

Already a little more zip to their running and venom in contact after Steve McNamara's half-time pep-rally.

PA

Kick-off

Back up and running

Jon Wilkin

Former England international

"My instinct would be that England will finish stronger, but that's only if they can control the ball, and if they can manage to control Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who's a very dangerous player."

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Jay Dubya: They need to get some aggression out. Where's the smashing tackles? all very laboured! Bring back Morley, Peacock et al 

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Plenty of opinions out there on that disallowed try for New Zealand...

Andrew: The dummy runner's problem is that he didn't run through the defensive line. Rather, he ran into the line, slowed down and changed direction. Good call from the TMO and finally some pace from England to go up the field for the try. 

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England 12-12 New Zealand

Daily Telegraph's Jonathan Liew on Twitter: England 12-12 New Zealand at half-time. Not quite sure how. England have been toilet. But they're level.  

Jon Wilkin

Former England international

"It took England some time to get up to Test mach intensity, whereas New Zealand started very quickly.

"But they got there and eventually scored some points of their own. On the disallowed try, I do think New Zealand were unfortunate though. It was a huge turning point in the game."

Robbie Hunter-Paul

Former New Zealand international

"In the opening 20 to 30 minutes Adam Blair and Jesse Bromwich were fantastic for New Zealand, they were punching holes through the home side. 

"But England dealt with it - they had to, and that's why they finished stronger in the first half."

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Alan S Sparks: Refs giving england everything - its embarrasing and im english

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach, BBC Two

"England started slowly, especially in defence and in their kicking game. There was a lot of kicks that lacked an aim and a determined chase, but they've grown into the game and became more and more confident."

England 12-12 New Zealand

I'm not sure that the KC Stadium crowd can believe the scoreboard.

England are lucky to be level at the break after the Kiwis' fast start and a questionable call from the officials for the disallowed black try.

Former England coach John Kear on BBC Two: "England can feel very confident after this. They were rocking but have fought their way back in. I certainly feel they can play better in the second half than they have in the first."

Half-time

England 12-12 New Zealand

Both sets of forwards are sucking in the oxygen as they prepare to scrum down. It has been a scrappy half, but end to end and it will have taken its toll.

Two minutes until the orange slice...

Almost another try for England but Roger Tuivasa-Sheck makes a brilliant last-gasp tackle to fell Liam Farrell close to the line.

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Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half

"It's a 12-point turnaround! England hold the runners, but New Zealand seemed to switch off, they were ball-watching a bit there." 

CONVERTED TRY - Ferres

Getty Images

Well, well, well. what a turnaround.

England let off the hook at one end and they take advantage at the other.

A beautifully timed pass from George Williams sends second row Brett Ferres trucking over.

Gareth Widdop adds the extras.

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Paul, Northampton: England's last tackle plays have been pathetic so far. They've played half an hour and not put a single decent kick in. Not good enough at schoolboy level, let alone international level. I think it's pretty evident that George Williams is not yet international standard.   

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Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half

"That is a nonsensical decision. What are you doing to do then? Drop on the floor and get out the way of the defender?" 

NO TRY

It's a controversial call, but the video official rules that Tohu Harris has illegally blocked the run of George Williams. A controversial call of obstruction - certainly the Kiwis won't be happy.

TRY REVIEW

Jordan Kahu is in for the Kiwis, but was his path to the corner cleared by some obstruction?

England 6-12 New Zealand

England clear up a dangerous dribbling kick in their in-goal, but cannot make it back over the threshold.

Drop-out from under their own posts.

England 6-12 New Zealand

England's discipline creaks again as Sean O'Loughlin and Liam Farrell mess with the Kiwi play-the-ball.

New Zealand with a fresh set of six in midfield.

England 6-12 New Zealand

New Zealand turn the defence dial up to 11 and England cannot deal with the volume. Zak Hardaker knocks on in a crunching tackle and that is another chance gone for the hosts.

England 6-12 New Zealand

Jason Nightingale gets a bit casual at the play of the ball, failing to actually make contact with the ball with his feet. That said, there were three England players in close attendance and that was arguably a harsh call from ref Ben Thaler.

England with a set of six with only 20m to go to the Kiwi line. And they opt to tap and go rather than going for the sticks...

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Darren Pearson: Way too slow in every department from England. 

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England 6-12 New Zealand

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Kevin Proctor goes looking for a statement hit on James Graham, but the England prop soaks that up like a sponge and even manages to flip an off-load out of the side door.

Former England coach John Kear on BBC Two: "Judging by the atmosphere in the ground the balloon's been deflated by what's happened in the first 20 minutes. That's what New Zealand set out to do and they've succeeded."

PENALTY - Luke

England pay for some ropey discipline. And it is skipper Sean O'Loughlin failing to lead by example.

The Wigan man delays the play of the ball, ripping it free illegally on the last tackle. It allows Isaac Luke to step back and slot over another two points from the subsequent penalty.

Mindless.

Substitution

England's Josh Hodgson off with a bang on the shin and James Roby is on to fill in at hooker.

Eorl Crabtree

Former England prop forward

"New Zealand have been really challenging the big boys in this England side, who've been standing up well. 

"Where they really scare me though is the line speed, the intensity is not quite there from England. They need to lift that."

England 6-10 New Zealand

Almost a little chink of light for John Bateman, but he is snared in midfield by an onrushing New Zealand defender.

Might have been an overlap outside him.

Former England coach John Kear on BBC Two: "There was a lovely pass from George Williams, and Zak Hardaker immediately signaled to the referee that he was confident the ball came off his knee. 

"This is bound to lift England. New Zealand had been the better side, but England are really building now."

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CONVERTED TRY - Hodgson

Yep, Josh Hodgson's swoop and dive on the loose ball from close range survives the try review.

Some of the Kiwi defenders switched off there, presuming Zak Hardaker had knocked on.

Gareth Widdop knocks over the extras and England are right back into the mix.

TRY REVIEW

Elliot Whitehead's offload has gone forward, but only off Zak Hardaker's knee.

I think this is going to stand...

TRY REVIEW

England go over, but has there been a knock-on earlier in the piece?

We are going to go to the video tape...

Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half

"New Zealand were very fortunate on the ricochet, but again the support was there and they offloaded very quickly. It's a very good finish.

"The intensity just isn't there from England. They should be hungry, be smashing into these Kiwis. But it's the other way around at the moment."

PA

CONVERTED TRY - Moa

PA

New Zealand turn the tables at dizzying speed. England's heads are spinning as Peta Hiku, Jesse Bromwich and Jason Nightingale keep the ball alive and make major inroads into the white territory.

England never really reorganise and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck draws Sean O'Loughlin and pops Sam Moa in on the charge for the score.

Isaac Luke does not miss those. Two more.

England 0-4 New Zealand

PA

Ryan Hall has a spurt down the wing, but this New Zealand defence is teak-tough.

 Dean Whare smacks into the tackle before Isaac Luke forces the turnover with a big hit on Liam Farrell.

Chance gone for England.

England 0-4 New Zealand

First bit of really offensive defence from England as Chris Hill upends Jesse Bromwich earning a turnover deep in the Kiwi half and slaps on the back from his team-mates.

Now to turn it into points...     

England 0-4 New Zealand

New Zealand up to within 10 metres on the fifth tackle. Danger here. England's concentration is better this time as Joe Burgess shepherds the grubber kick dead.

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Jay Dub- Ya: Man and ball lads! Wrap it up!

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England 0-4 New Zealand

There was talk of England starting this match, against the world number ones, as favourites.

We might need to revise those predictions.

The Kiwi pack has been well on top with Dean Whare crashing into a tackle.

Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half

"Very, very clinical, from New Zealand. England got their numbers wrong there. It was simple play, there was nothing really that clever about it, it was just round the back. 

"England pay the price. A great start for the Kiwis."

TRY - Harris

England fail to tie up their men or take the Kiwis to ground.

The offloads keep the game alive and Jason Nightingale worms his way into space. 

England shuffle to try and snuff out the danger, but they have got the numbers wrong and Peta Hiku flips the pass to Tohu Harris to charge through a gaping hole and in for the opening try.

Isaac Luke misses the extras.

England 0-0 New Zealand

New Zealand are starting to get their groove on. Their offloading game is starting to warm up, taking them 70m upfield over their latest set of six.

England wing Ryan Hall has a awkward grubber to deal with at the end of it and does well to make it back infield from his own in-goal area.

England 0-0 New Zealand

Chris Hill, thighs pumping, hand-off jabbing takes play up towards the Kiwi half as England make their way back from the shadow of their own posts.

Plenty of biff and bash, not much light and spark as yet.

'England start as favourites'

Jonathan Davies

Former Wales fly-half on BBC Two

"International rugby is all about results. In the past England have created a lot of opportunities without having that cutting edge. But it looks now like that may have changed though. 

"And with the lack of experience in this New Zealand team, especially at half-back, England start as favourites for me."

England 0-0 New Zealand

James Graham ploughs up from first receiver, taking contact from Kevin Proctor, but making yards.

A good first set and it ends with a kick pumped up towards the Kiwi line. That is safely gathered by Jason Nightingale.

Kick-off

We are underway.

Haka

BBC Sport

What theatre. Pin-drop silence in the KC Stadium - the only sound is the hiss and slap of the Kiwis pre-match challenge.

James Graham raises an eyebrow. "Oh ay?"

 And the PA system blasts out Land of Hope and Glory before we kick off...

Red Button forum

Just to mark your card on what's coming up after the game, Mark Chapman will be putting the questions to Brian Noble, Robbie Hunter-Paul and Jon Wilkin on the Red Button from 19:00 GMT.

Plus, former cross-code star Jonathan Davies will be giving his views about the future of Sam Burgess...

Send us your questions using #bbcrl on Twitter. You can also text on 81111 from UK mobiles.     

Anthem time

God Save the Queen is really not that long is it?

A quick blast from the hosts after the Kiwis' meandering little number. and it is haka time...

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Anthem time

BBC Sport

New Zealand will get first hit on the anthems.

God defend New Zealand - these boys in black don't look like they would need much looking after.

Some of the little lads lined up in front of each New Zealand player cannot resist a sneaky wink as the camera pans along the Kiwi line during the national sing song.

'England need to get over the line'

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach on BBC Two

"The Kiwis have got a couple of injured players, and their team selection here has been made with an eye on developing the squad ahead of the 2017 World Cup. 

"But that doesn't matter. For me,  England just need to get over the line in a Test series."

Teams in tunnel

The teams huddle up before heading for the tunnel.

Outside a capacity crowd are inching towards the edge of their KC perches.

An enormous George Cross flag is draped across the playing service, flanked by a choir, singing arias.

It feels like a seance as much as a stadium about to host a Test match... 

'Responsibility and expectation'

New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney, speaking to BBC Sport: "Injures are a big part of our game nowadays and there’s not a lot we can do about that. 

"But over the last few years we've built up a culture within the group that means everyone who pulls on the jumper has a responsibility and an expectation to live up to. The lads that do make their debuts today will do that."

'Crucial to get some pride'

Jon Wilkin

Former England international on BBC Two

"It's never about development for me, these kind of matches. When you are picked for your international team it should be the best side out there.

"This series is crucial for England to get some results against the number one team in the sport.

"We are unlucky second-placers far too often, but at some stage one of our national teams has got to win something – and this is a massive opportunity for England to do that. This series is huge for rugby league and for the whole country watching. Let’s get some pride." 

Top of the world

Getty Images

This New Zealand side is currently sat at the very top of the world rankings after putting away Australia 26-12 in the Anzac Test in Brisbane in May.

It was their first win in the fixture since 1998 and followed on from their success in the Four Nations twelve months ago.

A three-Test series against them will be key stepping stone to the 2017 World Cup for Steve McNamara's side.

'To put things right'

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England coach Steve McNamara, speaking to BBC Sport: "Every time you play for England you want to win, and of course we all want to win Test matches. We've got four to play,we've had one already which was negotiated successfully.

“We’ve been agonisingly short against New Zealand the last couple of years but the players want to put that right this year."

Atmosphere bubbling

BBC Sport

Less is more.

The KC Stadium choreographers have killed the house lights to build the atmosphere out on the pitch.

Back indoors, under the dressing-rooms flourescent tubes, Steve McNamara is issuing the last of his instructions, stabbing his index finger in the air to underline his points.

Billy Whizz watching

Weirdest transfer leak ever?

Getty Images

One man to be pleased to be on tour rather than back down under will be Martin Taupau.

The powerful forward is in the midst of a farcical move between Wests Tigers and Manley Sea Eagles that became public after his proposed Sea Eagles contract was mistakenly emailed to a Canadian theatre critic.

James Kelly Nestruck - who duly broke the news on Twitter - has the same first initial and surname as Manley CEO Joe Kelly, suggesting a mistyped email address was to blame.

Prescott presents...

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I'm not sure how far down the Rugby Football League rollerdeck he was, but former deputy prime minister John Prescott was the man giving the England squad a pre-series psych-up chat.

Prescott, who famously let his fists do the talking when hit by an egg thrown by a protester in 2001, "was able to talk about leadership and the decisions you have to make when you go to war" according to England coach Steve McNamara.

Sounds like Prezza just rehashed his Chilcott Inquiry turn.

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Cross-code support

Team news

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The absence of captain Simon Mannering, winger Manu Vatuvei, enforcer Jared Wharea-Hargreaves and Jason Taumalolo will be keenly felt by New Zealand.

The tourists are also missing half-backs Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson, meaning that the inexperience duo of Peta Hiku and Tuimoala Lolohea will be taking up those key positions.

New Zealand: 

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jason Nightingale, Jordan Kahu, Dean Whare, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Peta Hiku, Tuimoala Lolohea, Jesse Bromwich, Issac Luke, Sam Moa, Kevin Proctor, Tohu Harris, Adam Blair

Interchange: Kodi Nikorima, Martin Taupau, Ben Matulino, Sio Siua Takeiaho

This was England earlier today, taking in a few sights, getting their mind on the job...

Team news

England named an unchanged 19-man squad from the 84-4 friendly win against France last Saturday, after Sam Tomkins was ruled out of the series.

Full-back Tomkins, who has spent two seasons at New Zealand Warriors, will take no part after aggravating a knee injury.

It means that 2015 Man of Steel Zak Hardaker has the full-back position to himself. Wigan's Sean O'Loughlin leads the team.

England: 

Zak Hardaker (Leeds Rhinos), Joe Burgess (Wigan Warriors), John Bateman (Wigan Warriors), Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos), Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos), Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons), George Williams (Wigan Warriors), James Graham (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs), Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders), Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves), Elliott Whitehead (Catalans Dragons), Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors), Sean O’Loughlin, captain (Wigan Warriors)

Interchange: James Roby (St Helens) Thomas Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Mike Cooper (St George Illawarra Dragons) Brett Ferres (Huddersfield Giants)

'Burgess would be welcomed back'

New Zealand co-captain Isaac Luke has stuck his spoon in the big bubbling pot, marked 'Sam Burgess' future'.

Burgess is due to report back to union side Bath on Monday after England's underwhelming pool-stage exit at the Rugby World Cup, but is widely predicted to be returning to the 13-man code and NRL's South Sydney Rabbitohs.

"He'll be welcomed back," said Luke, who himself left Souths at the end of the 2015 season to join New Zealand Warriors. "He bleeds red and green, like I do as well. He's a loved man at South Sydney." 

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Warming up

The teams out on the pitch, going through their warm-ups, Zak Hardaker taking a few high balls. There could be plenty of them coming his way.

BBC Two coverage starts shortly.

Get Involved

Sam Burgess said to be close to a quick-smart U-turn back to league after his dabble in union.

Sam Tomkins, injured for today, but back in the cherry and white of Wigan after a couple of years trying to source Uncle Joe's mint balls in New Zealand.

Today, we are asking which rugby league return would you have liked to see, but never happened.

Jason Robinson? Scott Gibbs?  Jarryd Hayne after he was dropped from the San Francisco 49ers last night?

Let us know via #bbcrl on Twitter, the BBC Sport Facebook page or 81111 on text from UK mobiles

Get Involved

Get involved using #bbcrl on Twitter. You can also text on 81111 from UK mobiles.   

BBC Coverage

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

This match is live on BBC Two from 16:45 GMT and piping out of the BBC Radio 5 live sports extra towers of power from 17:00 GMT.

You can get across both on this very page. Just click on the live coverage tab and away you go.

Anglo-Kiwi classics

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England's last two meetings with New Zealand have been hum-dinging matches culminating in gut-punch defeats by a couple of points.

In the 2013 World Cup semi-final, a heroic defensive effort - with Sam Burgess front and centre - was undone by Shaun Johnson's last-minute try.

A year later, in the Four Nations, New Zealand kept Steve McNamara's side at bay by the same slender margin to book their place in the competition's final in front of a home crowd in Dunedin.

This time around - with New Zealand missing captain Simon Mannering, winger Manu Vatuvei, enforcer Jared Wharea-Hargreaves and Jason Taumalolo - and home advantage on their side, England have an excellent chance of registering their first win over the Kiwis since 2011.

Third time lucky?

Two points in November 2013.

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  Two points in November 2014.

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  Third time lucky in November 2015?