FORUMS FORUMS






RLFANS.COM
Celebrating
25 years service to
the Rugby League
Community!

  

The eagerly anticipated opening fixture of the three match test series against New Zealand saw England in Hull at the KCOM Stadium for the crucial first instalment.

England won the mid-season game against the Kiwi’s in Denver by 36-18 but would have to do without the likes of Gareth Widdop, Luke Gale and Ryan Hall. New Zealand travelled to England on the back of a two point victory over Australia a fortnight ago and made just one change to that winning side.

The tourists were the slight favourites with the bookies but there was little to choose between the two sides, the stage was set for a classic.

It was thr dream start for England as they kept the ball alive on the last tackle on three minutes with three last gasp offloads leaving Sam Tomkins with the space to walk through a broken New Zealand defence and score by the right upright. Jake Connor added the extra on his home ground for a 6-0 lead.

On twelve the Kiwi’s were back on level terms as Shaun Johnson supported on the inside to take a Nikorima pass and run through a big gap to dive over. Johnson converted his own try to shout a loud warning to England that they would need to be attentive for the full eighty.

England escaped a scare on fourteen when Tommy Makinson offloaded near his own line and New Zealand touched down a loose ball, but the video referee ruled a knock-on.

After an England knock-on on the half hour by Jermaine McGillvary, New Zealand took full advantage as the full back Dallin Watene-Zelezniak took a Kodi Nikorima pass to dive over for a simple try. Johnson added the conversion brilliantly from the touchline for a 12-6 lead.

With just under a minute Jake Connor went low for the line under the tackle. Watene-Zelezniak slid in with the knees and as the referee sent the decision to the video official Ben Thaler studied the replays and awarded a penalty try against the full-back in Connor’s favour. Watene-Zelezniak was incandescent but waved away by referee Hicks. Connor added the conversion, showing  no ill-effects from the tackle.

At 12-12 at the interval it was honours shared despite New Zealand slightly edging it on the field.

The opening points of the second half went the Kiwi’s way when England held on too long in the tackle and Johnson kicked the goal from twenty metres. Connor responded five minutes later when he kicked a two pointer for England to again tie the scores.

Another Johnson penalty, after England were caught offside, gave New Zealand the lead once more.

On sixty-six a superb debut try from Oliver Gildart after taking a Jon Bateman offload and running forty metres, evading the New Zealand tacklers, to go over for 18-16. Connor was unable to add the extras but England were two points ahead with twelve minutes on the clock.

On the back foot for the last twelve minutes England’s defence held firm and they managed to keep New Zealand out, despite a couple of scares.

This was an arm-wrestle of a game with some high impact aggressive defence and little room for flair in attack. The tries came mostly from mistakes and both sides will look to improve their discipline for the remaining two games in the series. A good first win ground out by England against superior possession and position for New Zealand.

Onwards to Anfield next Sunday, and an exciting game two.

England: Lomax, Makinson, Connor (PT, 3G), Gildart (T), McGillvary, Williams, Tomkins (T), Burgess, Hodgson, Graham, Bateman, Whitehead, O’Loughlin.  Subs: Thompson, Hull, Burgess, Clark.

New Zealand: Watene-Zelezniak (T), Maumalo, Marsters, Manu, Rapana, Johnson (T, 3G), Nikorima, Bromwich J, Smith, Waerea-Hargreaves, Proctor, Liu, Fisher-Harris.   Subs: Bromwich K, Ah Mau, Taupau, Tapine.

Referee: Robert Hicks.

Half-Time: 12-12.

Full-Time: 18-16.

Attendance: .



facebook sharing button
twitter sharing button
pinterest sharing button
email sharing button
sharethis sharing button


Posted by RLFANS News Hound on Sat 27th Oct 2018 4:24 PM | Views : 50501 | Replies : 27 | BACK TO STORIES
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
0m
2024 Southstandercom Prediction Competition Week 6
deanos rhino
24
2m
The Bulls away
Hudd-Shay
8
3m
The official Leon Hayes Thread
Alffi_7
13
4m
Fevround 2
PopTart
88
8m
No grade A for 2025 for Trinity
PopTart
21
15m
BORED The Band Name Game
Boss Hog
55972
15m
Game - Song Titles
Boss Hog
34258
25m
Challenge Cup
Boss Hog
36
27m
Spare Tickets Friday
post
4
50m
Smith - should he stay or should he go
Roam Ranger
346
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
43s
The Bulls away
Hudd-Shay
8
46s
BORED The Band Name Game
Boss Hog
55972
50s
Smith - should he stay or should he go
Roam Ranger
346
1m
Championship TV deal
Trojan Horse
18
1m
Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4
Jack Burton
8703
1m
Other Championship Clubs
Trojan Horse
97
1m
Shopping list for 2025
Tarquin Fueg
405
1m
LOAN OUT Tom Nicholson-Watton - York Knights
YosemiteSam
25
2m
Max Wood on loan to Bradford 2 weeks
rubber ducki
7
2m
Huddersfield - Home
BigTime
5
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
The Wigan Way - New Podcast - Chairman Special
Jukesays
1
TODAY
Dons v Swinton Lions 30 June 2024
Wanderer
1
TODAY
Squad for Sheffield
AdamH
1
TODAY
London Away
Fartown58
1
TODAY
The Bulls away
Hudd-Shay
8
TODAY
The official Leon Hayes Thread
Alffi_7
13
TODAY
Saints a
Cherry_Warri
13
TODAY
Leon Ruan signs on loan
Jemmo
2
TODAY
Wardle
Jo Jumbuck
3
TODAY
Huddersfield - Home
BigTime
5
TODAY
Max Wood on loan to Bradford 2 weeks
rubber ducki
7
TODAY
Jake Wardle 5 Year deal
Zig
22
TODAY
No grade A for 2025 for Trinity
PopTart
21
TODAY
Cup Quarter Final TV Arrangements
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Rd 6 I Cas A
Rockinhorse
21
TODAY
WIRE YED Prediction Competition Catalans Home
Uncle Rico
11
TODAY
Spare Tickets Friday
post
4
TODAY
RL Podcast
AgbriggAmble
1
TODAY
Challenge Cup
Boss Hog
36
TODAY
2024 Challenge Cup Quarter Final Draw
RLFANS News
1
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
Cup Quarter Final TV Arrangeme..
475
2024 Challenge Cup Quarter Fin..
592
Easy Does It For The Dragons A..
526
Warrington Demolish London For..
642
Leigh Leopards Beat Plucky Fea..
693
Saints Triumph Over Disappoint..
663
Easy Win for the Wolves Over L..
915
Dragons Condemn Castleford To ..
894
Leigh Leopards Secure First Po..
1043
St Helens Tame The Rhinos To W..
1014
Wigan Warriors Come From Behin..
1071
Betfred Championship and Leagu..
1058
2024 Challenge Cup Sixth Round..
3832
Featherstone Win Extra Time Cu..
1180
Dragons Triumph Over Hull FC t..
1060
RLFANS Match Centre
Matches on TV
Table 'boards.stats_fixtures' doesn't exist