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.

Definitely seemed to be an NZ tactic kicking that way, I don't know if they fancied their winger in the air on occasions or was just testing Makinson out. Thought they might have tried the other way after he'd taken it safely so many times.

Talk of ‘dropping’ players like Connor, Lomax, Gildart or Williams blows my mind! The level of perfection some people want is astonishing! All four have had some tough moments in this series but have played huge parts in us leading a really good Kiwi side 2-0. In tough, tight games mistakes will be made but it’s how these guys have bounced back that gives them the most credit.



Thankfully Wayne Bennett will keep going with his method of continuity bit we could win an Ashes series 3-0 and people would still pick fault.

New Zealand simply weren't good enough, COULD NOT BE PROUDER THAN THE LADS IN WHITE

Totally agree with regards to Connor, Lomax and Williams but, Gildart, after being the hero of the first test had a shocker last week, an absolute stinker of a game but, I think that barring injuries/suspensions it will be "as you were" and go for a whitewash.

He made a couple of poor errors in the first half but bounced back pretty well in the second half. Most of the play went down the left granted so there wasn’t much impact with the ball but we can’t speak about dropping him after the performance he put in at Hull. I obviously watch him week in week out and Sunday is the first time I’ve ever seen him make a few silly errors in one game, he’s usually really dependable.



He deserves another crack IMO.