How England win over Kiwis unfolded

1. F/T: England 20-14 New Zealand
2. England win International Test Series 2-1
3. Tries: Eng - Whitehead (2), O'Loughlin
4. NZ: Nightingale, Tuivasa-Sheck, Kahu
5. Match at Wigan went ahead in wake of Paris attacks

Thank you Australia

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

New Zealand boss Stephen Kearney has just been in to speak to the press. He was understandably disappointed by the result but generous in his praise for England's performance.

Interestingly, when asked about the impact of so many England players competing in the Australian NRL, he reckons that the week-in, week-out toughness of that competition is helping the England side.

"It is survival of the fittest, high-intensity football," he said.

Farewell

Getty Images

What an image to leave you with.

Sean O'Loughlin hoists the Baskerville Shield to the rainy Wigan heavens.

That was exciting. But the thought of 2016's Four Nations and 2017's World Cup?

Absolutely mouth-watering.

See you there.

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach

The outcome of this series wasn't a massive surprise. it could have gone either way. England were the better side.

Get involved

Get involved

Get involved

England win Test series

Robbie Hunter-Paul

Former New Zealand international

Steve McNamara needs to tell his players to enjoy it and make winning part of their culture.

England 20-14 New Zealand

Getty Images

We are delighted with the win. We just hung in there. We are not getting too carried away with ourselves but we came here setting ourselves a target of winning the series and we did that. Hopefully this gives us the confidence going into the Four Nations next year.

James GrahamEngland prop

Icing on the cake for Hall

Ryan Hall speaking to BBC Sport: I'm overwhelmed. I was think 2015 was special, with the club success we had (at Leeds). For seven years I've never won anything at international level so this is the icing on the cake. 

Get

Get involved

Getty Images

Robbie Hunter-Paul

Former New Zealand international

New Zealand were able to test new half backs. Youngster were able to play at this level but it is the halves they need strength and depth.

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach

Rex Features

Steve McNamara will be congratulating them on their success but it is the first step towards the World Cup. He wants the players to kick on and has been their father figure. We have to get rid of this tag of nearly rans.

An interesting insight into the England dressing room.

It is a very calm, reflective scene with the players lined up on the benches to listen to coach Steven McNamara.

Ah, that is more like it.

Speech from the gaffer over the players are on their feet for a bit of a sing-song and to spray some refreshements about.

More to come from the Kiwis

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

Kieran Folan. Shaun Johnson. Jared Warea Hargreaves. Manu Vatuvei. Simon Mannering.

Fair play to England for winning the decisive Test. A great effort, but let us not forget that the Kiwi side England face in the Four Nations next year might be much improved. 

This year's team were without several established players, particularly in the halves.

Jamie Peacock

Former England captain

I think Zak Hardaker has grown up. He has been drinking in the last chance saloon for a long time. He realised how he was making his team-mates and coach feel. He had to grow up and he has done that. He is a strong character and had some personal issue to deal with. The kid is fearless.

England win series

Reaction and analysis from today's match and the series as a whole continues on the Red Button or you can tune in at the top of this page.

England win Test series

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach

This is a big day for English rugby league and for the Super League as well.

Get involved

England celebrate series win

When we completed the sets and ground out, we looked a good team. It is a tough game and both teams had to work hard. To come out on top is brilliant and we have some really young guys. The future is bright for us.

Brett FerresEngland forward

Get involved

Getty Images

No limits

John Kear

Former England coach

What a magnificent Test match. The other two had limitations, but this one didn't. England worked so hard, attacked well and their defence has been brilliant the whole series.

England celebrate series win

New Zealand's Adam Blair told BBC Sport: "Discipline was the difference in the end. The English boys had an outstanding series. It was a tough series but overall we've dug deep and it went down to the wire tonight but we came up short."

England celebrate series win

New Zealand are number one in the world for a reason but we managed to get the win. It has been a long time for a series win but we have put in hard work over the last few years and it has come off. Both team played great but we held on.

Gareth WiddopEngland stand-off

England celebrate series win

Rex Features

Matty Smith told BBC Sport: "It was a tough game, credit to the Kiwis they kept going. But what a result for England and the whole country. We've been building for the last couple of years - we've come close but to finally win a series, this is why you play."

England 20-14 New Zealand

Steve McNamara celebrates in the DW Stadium stands. There is a fair bit of relief mixed in there as well.

Had England snatched defeat from the jaws of victory there would have been an ugly, ugly inquest to follow.

The game that keeps giving

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

Rex Features

The crowd momentarily had the stuffing knocked out of them when New Zealand scored yet another try.

Thrilling, thrilling finish. Heck, even James Graham showed some emotion at the final at the final whistle.

England 20-14 New Zealand

The ball goes to ground as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as the Kiwi full-back chances his arm as he has to. Ryan Hall boots it dead to bring the match to an end and start the party.

Full time

BBC

England 20-14 New Zealand

New Zealand up to within 30m with the final play...

New Zealand fight back

John Kear

Former England coach

That was a great piece of play. I couldn't see where New Zealand were going to get three tries from. What a great finish to the game.

TRY - Kahu

Hang on a cotton pickin'.

Kodi Nikorima's crossfield outside of the boot kick is perfect for Jordan Kahu to slide onto ahead of Jermaine McGillvary and over for the try.

Isaac Luke with the kick is....is....off the post!

New Zealand need a converted score to draw and more to win.

Get involved

England 20-10 New Zealand

Josh Hodgson's nudged kick on the sixth tackle is well weighted and New Zealand will have to build from within the shadow of their own posts.

Get involved

England 20-10 New Zealand

A knock-on from Kevin Proctor!

That is surely New Zealand's faint hopes extingushed.

England with a set of six to linger over from halfway.

Can New Zealand do it?

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach

Just when you thought it was safe, they go over in the corner. I still think this is England's series. Surely New Zealand can't go and get two more scores?

TRY - Tuivasa-Sheck

It's all good.

Another peach of a try from the Kiwis, but they need two converted scores in the final five minutes to complete an extraordinary escape to victory after Isaac Luke's missed conversion.

TRY REVIEW - Tuivasa-Sheck

An outrageous side-door off-load from Jason Nightingale gives Roger Tuivasa-Sheck the space to slither over.

Is he held up? I fear not...

O'Loughlin makes the break

John Kear

Former England coach

England were creating a shape to threaten. He saw the hole and went for it. Well done England and well done Sean O'Loughlin. That's a win for England at long last.

Party time in Wigan

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

Dads holding their children wearing England tops, couples bouncing up and down waving their arms and publicans preparing themselves for a very busy afternoon.

Rest assured, England have finally brought home a series win against a major nation.

Get involved

CONVERTED TRY - O'Loughlin

Sean O'Loughlin soft-shoe shuffles round a couple of tackles and then switches on the after-burners, puts his head down and ploughs straight through Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and over the line.

With Gareth Widdop's conversion, New Zealand face a mission highly improbable - needing three tries in the final seven minutes.

TRY REVIEW - O'Loughlin

BBC

Is this the one that makes absolutely certain?

There did not look anything wrong with it on first viewing as Sean O'Loughlin plunged over...

Can England hold on?

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach

England have had one opportunity and executed it. New Zealand have one, and they don't. England need to finish this now.

England 14-6 New Zealand

Ball to ground! Roger Tuivase-Sheck's pass is wayward and Kallum Watkins swoops to make amends and regather possession.

England will be taking care and time over this carry upfield.

England 14-6 New Zealand

Kallum Watkins game is not getting a lot better.

The Leeds centre sees the ball popped out of his grasp by a mighty shoulder from Ben Matulino.

New Zealand with a set of six within 20m.

England 14-6 New Zealand

It looks like New Zealand joint captain Adam Blair is out on his feet.

The loose forward is ambling around trying to catch his breath as the play goes on around him...

Get involved

England on the way

John Kear

Former England coach

In these conditions it's going to be really hard for New Zealand to score two tries.

England 14-6 New Zealand

England with 15 minutes to play and teeming rain on their side. Can they snuff this game out and run the clock down?

Sean O'Loughlin gives away a penalty for a high hit on Roger Tuivase Sheck.

The hosts cannot afford to be giving away any freebies like that.

A try to remember

John Kear

Former England coach

Well, well, well. We called it. England got the chance off the back of the penalty and look how well they took it. The execution was exceptional. What a great try - worthy of winning the series.

Iestyn Harris

Former Great Britain international on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Last week at the Olympic Stadium, England were fantastic defensively. They have been the same in the second half here and that will win them the game today. Eliott Whitehead had no right to score that try but showed great footwork and power.

Get involved

BBC

CONVERTED TRY - Whitehead

BBC

That could be the series-clincher.

England have been under the cosh since the interval, but this lightning raid into the Kiwi half delivers a superb and potentially decisive try.

Elliott Whitehead is on the end of some snappy handling and a piston-like hand-off deals with Jordan Kahu as he crashes over.

Gareth Widdop lumps over the extras. Fine kick.

England 8-6 New Zealand

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

Into the final quarter and at the moment all the home fans have to cheer is England's superb defence.

It reminds me of the match in London last weekend - and we all know what happened there.

England 8-6 New Zealand

Jermaine McGillvary with a fine overhead kick take in his own in-goal and a high tackle on Elliott Whitehead means England have a full set within the New Zealand half.

England 8-6 New Zealand

Gareth Widdop takes exception to Adam Blair's big hit. He was committed though - it did not look callously late to me.

Maybe Widdop is trying to distract from his ropey old kick out on the full.

Crowd behind England

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach

It's very tense and we're now seeing expansion from New Zealand. The crowd are trying to lift England to help them get back into shape.

England 8-6 New Zealand

That might prove costly for England.

Matty Smith's sixth-tackle kick is straight into the leg of a Kiwi directly in front of him.

There is no deliberate attempt to play the ball so the tackle count has not been wiped clean and New Zealand have ball 30m upfield of where they might have.

Get involved

Worrying for Watkins

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

Lots of England players giving Kallum Watkins a "come on mate, chin up" pat on the head but it has not been a great match so far for the Leeds centre.

He coughed up the ball twice in the first half in promising positions and a poor play-the-ball a minute or so ago gifted the Kiwis a scrum in a good position.

Lots of activity on the touchline, warming up, riding on the exercise bike, as the two teams look to get over the line here at Wigan.

Iestyn Harris

Former Great Britain international on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Getty Images

It can be infectious when you start making mistakes. One can become two and three. England slightly in the driving seat with their lead on the scoreboard but New Zealand are getting back into it.

Move the ball

Jon Wilkin

Former England international

Both sides have been reluctant to move the ball and it's to England's detriment. They need to move the ball despite conditions. It's imperative they move the New Zealand pack around.

England 8-6 New Zealand

New Zealand replacement Alex Glenn takes a pass right in the dangerzone - so close to the England defence he can sees the whites of Elliott Whitehead's eyes.

A big tackle comes in, the ball goes forward and we are still awaiting the first score of the second half. 

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach

New Zealand are prepared to pick up the scraps of what England are going to give them. Errors and penalties will break this game open, especially in the last 15 minutes.

England 8-6 New Zealand

Matty Smith with a precise kick downfield that sits pretty as a picture on the New Zealand tryline.

That buys England some serious territory, but a basic handling error from Kallum Watkins - knocking on the greasy ball at the ruck - costs them some momentum.

Watkins is consoled with his team-mates slaps on the back.

England 8-6 New Zealand

Petu Hiku sniffs some space, but he has got as over-excited as a Labrador in a pheasant coop.

As he takes a hand off the ball to get expansive, Brett Ferres gets in a tackle to dislodge the ball.

Knock-on, England ball.

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach

It is advantage Kiwis at the moment. They are finding the field position and the kicks to stay at the attacking end of the pitch.

England 8-6 New Zealand

New Zealand are turning the screw at the start of this second half, winning the territorial battle and keeping England well under the cosh.

Zak Hardaker takes no chances with a dribbling little kick in behind and boots the ball out over his own in-goal for a drop-out under his own sticks.

Tension building

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

BBC

New Zealand looking increasingly potent in attack - and the crowd know it.

Increasingly tense inside the DW Stadium - although the man to my left who has only just taken his seat with a pint in one hand and a load of England shirts in the other does not look too worried. 

England 8-6 New Zealand

Is there space out there? New Zealand shift the ball through the hands and Dean Whare has options, but Ryan Hall makes a good call stepping in off his wing to get in the centre's face and snuff out the move. 

England 8-6 New Zealand

A little glimmer of a gap for Zak Hardaker and, with Ryan Hall thundering up outside him, the full-back opts for a little dinky kick.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck gets across to just about see it safe for New Zealand after dawdling and dithering to almost let Hall steal in.

England 8-6 New Zealand

Matty Smith is wearing his velvet kicking slippers today. Another probing little grubber on the sixth tackle.

Isaac Luke has to take care to gather cleanly and the chase is on him soon after.

Iestyn Harris

Former Great Britain international on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

England need to get a foothold back in the game, they were in complete control until the New Zealand try. They need to get Matty Smith's kicking on the button again to get the home side on the front foot.

England 8-6 New Zealand

New Zealand's Peta Hiku sends a slippery eel of a kick snaking out of play just out of the reach of Jermaine McGillvary on the England wing.

The hosts' indiscipline is letting them down thought. Marty Taupau gives away a penalty as he steals the ball from Tom Burgess at the play of the ball.

Kick-off

Isaac Luke boots long. Zak Hardaker collects and we are back under way.

England 8-6 New Zealand

BBC

New Zealand huddle up in their dressing room and head back out into the fray.

England are already waiting, have returned to a spurt of pyro a moment or two before.

Tomkins talks

Injured England full-back Sam Tomkins is sat in the stand with his leg elevated. He's told BBC Sport he'll be back from his cruiciate problem in March and said of the game at Wigan:  

"I think we've improved on last week. It's really greasy and whoever kicks best in the second half will win this."

And breathe...

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

The rain continues to pour down and the crowd made the most of the interval to take a deep breath and gear up to go again.

A brisk trade at the bars in the concourses, a bit of a singalong to "Sweet Caroline", a few words about the opening 40 mins and off we go again.

The one question nobody can answer is whether after so many near misses over recent years, England can finally get over the line?

Smith's influence

John Kear

Former England coach

You can see the influence Matty Smith has on this game. The kicking game is far superior to what we saw last week.

Kiwis need to be 'world class'

Jamie Peacock

Former England captain

England have been outstanding and deserve to be in front. New Zealand are going to need a world-class effort to get back in the game.

More of the same

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach, BBC One

England have had to scramble their defence on a number of occasions and that won't change in the second half.

England 8-6 New Zealand

It is like Last Night of the Proms on the DW Stadium tannoy.

Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia both blare out as the stadium emcee attempts to keep the atmosphere bubbling.

England 8-6 New Zealand

About three of those 17 New Zealand offloads came in the build-up to Jason Nightingale's try.

The tourists are dangerous from all parts of the park. They can run it in from long range and England are going to need quite a cushion before they feel comfortable in this match.

I would not bet on them getting it either.

bbc

England 8-6 New Zealand

BBC

With his contract up at the end of this series, this could be Steve McNamara's final team talk as an England coach.

He is marching around the home dressing room, whispering sweet nothings into the ears of his half-back pairing and back three.

A game that has everything

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach, BBC One

This has got everything. Good kicking, good decisions. And look at the weather! England look like a different team. You've got to hand it to Steve McNamara after the changes he's made.

Thud, thud, thud

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

There have been some terrific collisions during an uncompromising opening half. Even from 50 yards you can hear them up in the stands.

Zak Hardaker has been excellent at full-back - but Leeds team-mate Kallum Watkins will be disappointed with a couple of errors when in promising positions.

And although the crowd will be disappointed that the Kiwis scored close to the break, they applauded the replay of Jason Nightingale's superb leap to score in the corner.

Iestyn Harris

Former Great Britain international on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Exceptionally good value. If this was a boxing match, this would go from one end to another. England would be on the ropes at one second and New Zealand would be on the ropes the next. England edge it and two points in it is a fair reflection of the first half.

Half-time

England 8-6 New Zealand

England could do with the bell.

There are under pressure in the shadow of the sticks.

That will do nicely. Jason Nightingale has given away a penalty at the play of the ball for a push on Zak Hardaker.

That should get the hosts back into the sheds ahead.

Get involved

New Zealand breakthrough

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach, BBC One

What a try by the Kiwis. It was five on three and England were scrambling. It was a great finish from Nightingale.

CONVERTED TRY - Nightingale

Jason Nightingale's boots are up around ear height as he plunges back down to earth to dot down over the top of Zak Hardaker.

No danger of getting them chalky up there and the try stands. 

Isaac Luke draws round the conversion perfectly to reduce the gap to two.

TRY REVIEW - Nightingale

BBC

Make that 1-1. I think this time Jason Nightingale has beaten Zak Hardaker's despairing tackle.

The Kiwi full-back flies superman style over the England's full-back to dot down.

Referee Ben Thaler wants another look...

Get involved

Get involved

England 8-0 New Zealand

This half has flown by. Incident everywhere with defences porous and attacks glistening with threat.

Test of passion

Jamie Peacock

Former England captain

I think it's fantastic to see passion in the game. It's a blood and thunder Test and it gives something for the crowd to shout about.

Flying Hardaker

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach, BBC One

Brilliant defence from England. New Zealand had the numbers but Zak Hardaker saw the danger and flew across him.

England 8-0 New Zealand

A try-saver of the highest order from Zak Hardaker.

The Leeds Rhinos full-back comes flying across to make a superb cover tackle on Jason Nightingale as the Kiwi pins his ears back and heads for the corner.

Lovely stuff.

Iestyn Harris

Former Great Britain international on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Brilliant play from England. They started to get some good position in the field. Matty Smith's short kicking game is why he is in the team. He is so influential with it.

Reward for Whitehead

John Kear

Former England coach

It was a well constructed set and well finished. Elliott Whitehead has done that a number of times for Catalans. That's just reward for the pressure England have built on the line.

CONVERTED TRY - Whitehead

BBC

There is the kicking game that Matty Smith brings to scrum-half.

A lovely cute little grubber from the new man is perfectly weighted for Elliot Whitehead who keeps his cool to scoop up and dive over for his first try in five Tests.

Gareth Widdop pops over the conversion.

England 2-0 New Zealand

England do tap and go.

Twice Kallum Watkins swerves outside his man Jordan Kahu, but on each occasion the cover defence slides across, cuts down the England centre and cut off his offload options.

Tap or kick?

John Kear

Former England coach

For me, you tap it and keep the pressure on. You can see a chink in the defenses.

England 2-0 New Zealand

BBC

Ben Matulino catches James Roby with a high forearm.

A brief bit of all-in Royal Rumble-style action and when the dust settles England have a fresh set of six close in to the New Zealand line...

Get involved

Described as a "tough hombre" by our commentary team...

Bang!

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

The rain is pouring down,the ball is slippery and you can see the spray bouncing off the players during the big collisions.

The crowd are right behind England. Yet the atmosphere is tense, with the crowd all-too aware of what the Kiwis are capable of doing.

This is rough and tumble, tough Test rugby league. Can England show enough composure and nerve to play the game they think they are capable of doing?

England 2-0 New Zealand

Getty Images

It is like a bar of soap out there.

Chris Hill loses his grip and gives up a turnover, but a superb defensive effort from England gets the hosts out of a hole as Kodi Nikorima is swallowed up by sheer weight of numbers.

England surround the Kiwis

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach, BBC One

New Zealand are very tight around the ruck so it's making it easy for England to condense and get men into the tackle.

A close call for England

John Kear

Former England coach

That was close. Compliments to the England defence for scrambling across and showing the same commitment they did last week.

NO TRY

Nope. A clear knock-on by Peta Hiku despite his attempt to shovel the ball out the back door.

No score. England keep their noses clean and in front.

TRY REVIEW - Nightingale

Jason Nightingale makes the television screen gesture as he scoops up the ball and dives over. 

But he does not look convinced at all.

It seems that Peta Hiku knocked on as he attempted to pick up the awkwardly bobbling ball moments before.

England 2-0 New Zealand

A chance for England - the Kiwi defence has got their maths wrong and the hosts have a man over and ball in hand.

But Kallum Watkins butchers the chance, the ball dribbling from his grasp and forward.

England 2-0 New Zealand

Jermaine McGillvary has been the biggest runner out there so far.

Another kick return from the Huddersfield man and again it takes a mob of black shirts to bring him to the floor.

England 2-0 New Zealand

Matty Smith almost punches a hole in midfield. The Kiwi defence creaks, but closes the loophole just in time to snare the England scrum-half.

Up goes the kick on the sixth tackle and it is a gem, perfectly weighted for Gareth Widdop to smash into Roger Tuivasa Sheck with a rib-tickler of a tackle.

England 2-0 New Zealand

So close, but no cigar.

New Zealand have an overlap and space to make it stick, but Roger Tuivasa Sheck's long pass out is a little over-cooked, forcing Jason Nightingale out over the sidelines, rather than ushering him over the tryline.

England survive. Just.

England on the defence

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach, BBC One

BBC

Both teams have come out with a different mentality to last week. England are having to defend now. Both teams look threatening.

England 2-0 New Zealand

Isaac Luke through the middle! Huge mispass out to Jason Nightingale.!England at sixes and sevens.

The Kiwis are stopped just short. But they have another six as England infringe at the ruck.

Huge pressure and only a couple of metres to go... 

Get Involved

England 2-0 New Zealand

Getty Images

New Zealand's defence stands solid under the spotlight.

The England forwards are not making much of a dent on the flat black line in front of them.

England 2-0 New Zealand

New Zealand penned back in their own half and they push their luck looking for the escape route.

Jesse Bromwich's offload is to ground and gobbled up by Elliot Whitehead.

Possession England and a fresh set of six from 30m out.

Iestyn Harris

Former Great Britain international on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

It is a great decision to go with the two points. Last week it was a tight game so get yourself in a position where you are in the lead.

Make some noise

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

You want noise? Get down to Wigan. I can barely here the Radio 5 live sports extra commentary team, sat on the row behind me. A home crowd roaring on their team - with plenty to encourage them so far.

PENALTY - Widdop

Rex Features

Gareth Widdop steps up and wallops one through the sticks as the Kiwis give away a second penalty inside the first five minutes.

The tourists did not particularly enjoy Ben Thaler's performance in the first Test. This encore from the referee won't be much more to their liking.

In praise of Jermaine McGillvary

John Kear

Former England coach

He's difficult to tackle but also when you've made the tackle he'll challenge you as well. It's a credit to him and to Steve McNamara for picking him.

England 0-0 New Zealand

England cannot make that first close-range set of six count on the scoreboard.

But Jermaine McGillvary has made an impressive start. The Huddersfield wing returns a kick with interest, charging into Jason Nightingale and earning a penalty from referee Ben Thaler.

Kick-off

And the Kiwis make a horror show of a start as New Zealand full-back Roger Tuivasa Sheck allows Zak Hardaker's long boot downfield to bounce and is then snared in goal by an eager England chase.

Kiwis to drop out from under their own posts. An ideal start from the hosts.

Kick-off next

As the rain patters down between the two teams, the Kiwis issue their pre-match challenge with tongues poking and fingers pointing.

James Graham simply nods his head in response.

Silverware

Getty Images

This is the hunk of precious metal on offer to the two teams today - the Baskerville Trophy.

It is named after pioneering New Zealand player Albert Baskerville who organised the first professional rugby tour from New Zealand to the Northern Union in 1907.

He died, aged 25, after contracting pneumonia on the return leg. But not before scoring a try in his one and only Test appearance when his team took on Australia.

England are currently in possession of the trophy and will retain it with a win or draw today.

National anthems

God Defend New Zealand rings around the DW Stadium, before God Save the Queen comfortably beats it on the decibel meter.

Kick-off follows. But first, the haka.

Minute's silence

Reuters

The two teams and a capacity DW Stadium crowd observe a minute's silence in honour of those killed and injured in last night's terrorist attacks in Paris.

Teams are on the pitch

If kick-off is going to be delayed, no-one has told the two teams.

In the dressing rooms, backs are being slapped, heat is being sprayed and shirts are being pulled on as the final instructions are issued.

One of the mascots briefly refuses to take England captain Sean O'Loughlin's hand, but he has talked her round and the two teams are on the baize.

Traffic problems?

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

Had a tweet or two suggesting traffic around the ground is very heavy. There are a lot of empty seats still - and as I look out of the corner of the ground people are walking to the entrances in great number.

When Kearney met Klopp

PA

New Zealand have been training at Liverpool's Melwood complex this week.

And Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney spent some quality time with his Reds counterpart Jurgen Klopp

"It was wonderful to experience that type of environment and it's a wonderful football club," said Kearney. 

"It's been a good week of preparation. Klopp was very accommodating and we were honoured to get the opportunity."

Come on, make some noise

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

Atmosphere, atmosphere. Much has been made of the supposed lack of it during the previous two Tests. If something is missing here today at a sold-out Wigan, then the game really does need to take a look at itself.

Beers are being drunk on the concourses, the stands are slowly starting to fill. Shirts of all clubs and colours are on display.

The referee is English, Wigan players haven't tasted defeat on this ground since the middle of 2014 (huge cheer when Sean O'Loughlin's name was read out). What could possibly go wrong? 

Get over the line

Brian Noble

Former Great Britain coach, BBC Red Button

This is the highest form of Rugby League we have here. When you play New Zealand it's a game of fine margins. I don't care how you get over the line, just get over the line.

Low scores, high tension?

Getty Images

Last week's low-scoring, nip-tuck, tightrope of an encounter was one for the purist. 

New Zealand's Isaac Luke is predicting something similarly defence-minded in front of a sold-out DW Stadium.

“There were only 11 points in the whole game and both teams were really on the ball with their defence,” he said.

“I expect it’s going to be the same this week. Both teams aren’t going to let each other over the line.

“When teams can’t score, it makes it more exciting.”

Get involved

Wilkin dodging and weaving

St Helens’ Jon Wilkin has just been taking us through the New Zealand dangermen on BBC One, darting and weaving around the Kiwis warm-up drills to point out the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

He comes dangerously close to copping an accidental, but undeniably huge, shoulder from one of the tourists.

Now, a quick turn of pace in his smart shoes and Wilkin, with a cameraman struggling to keep up, is off to the other end to grab a quick word with Matty Smith.

Get Involved

Tulsen, a former England international, is the touchline reporter for BBC Radio 5 live today.

McNamara wants 'big step' for England

England head coach Steve McNamara has been speaking to BBC Sport before kick-off:

"There's been focus on a few areas. We want to score more points than last week but defend as much as last week as well.

"It's important we win. It's a balanced Test series. To beat New Zealand would be a big step in the big direction."

McNamara's last stand?

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

Steve McNamara has been in charge of England since 2010 but he is out of contract after today and has ducked all questions about his future.

If he wants to stay on then he sure could do with a victory today. His England side have never got the better of Australia and only beaten New Zealand twice in six meetings.

A first major series win would probably provide a real shot in the arm for those who believe that McNamara is the man to lead England into the 2016 Four Nations on home soil. 

Third by a distance

PA

England (485 points) are a distant third in the world rankings behind Australia (941) and New Zealand (949), but victory could put a big dent in that margin when the numbers are next crunched in early December.

Coach Steve McNamara is more interested in how it sets his side up for the Four Nations tournament next year.

"Winning against the number one-ranked team would be a huge feather in our cap, hopefully the springboard for us repeating that next year," he said. 

Keep fighting Gaz

England will warm up in shirts bearing messages of support for rugby league journalist Gary Carter who is critically ill after an assault in London last week.

The 35-year-old, who has received messages of support from around the rugby league community, is still being treated in Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire.

Kiwis warming up

The New Zealand team are out warming up in the in-goal area. 

Each of the players is wearing a T-shirt bearing their name and a reminder of where they stand in Kiwi rugby league history, with the number of players who came before them in the black shirt.

Culture clash

BBC Sport

After touring London on an open-top bus ahead of last weekend's meeting at the Olympic Stadium, the Kiwis took a tour of Liverpool Football Club's Melwood training ground earlier this week.

They treated some of the Liverpool first-team squad to a haka and French defender Mamadou Sakho enjoyed the experience so much he bought the shirt.

Counting down the days...

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

Kayley and Scott have been here since before 9am this morning, placing flag after flag after flag on seats inside the DW Stadium. Apparently they worked their way through an entire stand.

They are Wigan fans and working for the Team 13 volunteers.

But their involvement at the ground doesn't end for 2015 after today's match. Oh no. They will be getting married at the stadium in December. The very best of luck.

BBC Sport

Team news

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

As has been widely predicted, England make two changes, with Huddersfield winger Jermaine McGillvary and Wigan scrum-half Matty Smith replacing Joe Burgess and George Williams, both of whom drop out of the 17.

New Zealand boss Stephen Kearney names the same side, so Peta Hiku and Kodi Nikorima remain in the halves. 

England: Hardaker, McGillvary, Bateman, Watkins, Hall, Widdop, Smith, Graham, Hodgson, Hill, Whitehead, Farrell, O'Loughlin.

Replacements: Roby, T. Burgess, Cooper, Ferres.

New Zealand: Tuivasa-Sheck, Nightingale, Kahu, Whare, S. Kenny-Dowall, Hiku, Nikorima, Bromwich, Luke, Moa, Proctor, Harris, Blair.

Replacements: Brown, Taupau, Matulino, Glenn.

Lizzie Jones presents England team jersey

Getty Images

The team were presented with their shirts on Friday night by Lizzie Jones. Her husband - Wales international Danny - died in May while playing for Keighley against London Skolars from an undiagnosed heart condition.

She sung Abide with Me at Wembley for the Challenge Cup Final earlier this year and will sing the national anthem ahead of today's match.

A fund to support Lizzie and their 10-month-old twins has raised more than £275,000.

So much better than last week

Paul Fletcher

BBC Sport in Wigan

Last Saturday the weather was very much on the atrocious side at the Olympic Stadium in London. It absolutely tipped it down before the match and even though the rain ceased before kick-off it remained windy throughout.

There are plenty of grey clouds swirling around the DW Stadium in Wigan today and frequent showers. 

But there is no sign of people sprinting from shelter to shelter, cowering from the horizontal wet stuff.

It is a lot colder than last Saturday, which was very mild, and decent weather for a crucial Test match.

Get Involved

Excited? It could not be set up better for the final high-profile league game of 2015.

Get Involved

We want your views, reactions, predictions and witticisms today.

Here is one to muse over. Ahead of next year's Four Nations, how big is the gap between England and Australia and New Zealand?

The RLIF world rankings have it as a chasm of difference. The last two weekends would suggest it is much closer.

What do you think? #bbcrl,81111 on text from UK phones and the BBC Sport Facebook page are the ways to get in. 

BBC coverage

The BBC's build-up is about to begin with a forum on the Red Button or you can stream it at the top of this page.

BBC One and Radio 5 live sports extra coverage kicks in at 12:45 GMT.

Once the dust has settled on today's game we will continue to chew the fat on the Red Button and BBC Sport website from 15:10 GMT.

Kick-off 50 minutes away

Gett

Today is the concluding part of England's titanic trilogy of matches against New Zealand.

After a victory for Steve McNamara's side in Hull and the tourists' 9-2 success at the Olympic Stadium, we are down to a black-ball game.

Winner-takes-all. Kick-off is 50 minutes away.

Video nasty

Getty Images

With his side 8-2 down to New Zealand at the Olympic Stadium, the England prop ploughed over under the sticks. It looked a certain try. The teams lined up for the gimme of a conversion.

But the video official had spotted something amiss. The ball a few millimetres from Graham's grasp has he touched down.

Had he got enough downward pressure? Or had he lost control in grounding?

The decision goes against him. His team lose. And a series victory against the world's best team remains tantalisingly out of reach.

So near. So far. So close.

PA

Fractions of inches. Hundredths of seconds. A touch more pace, a smidge more luck.

Often those fine margins decide on which side of the gulf between defeat and victory you land in professional sport.

And doesn't James Graham know it...