The magnitude and legacy of this series for English rugby league will only be truly felt after the conclusion of it, but this was certainly a decent start.
A multitude of factors, England’s poor Rugby World Cup union campaign and the first international rugby league action on home soil for two years among them, have created a real opportunity for the sport over the coming weeks.
English rugby league now heads to London and the Olympic Stadium on Saturday with real gusto and genuine momentum behind it, after England’s hugely spirited and well-deserved victory against the world’s No1 ranked side New Zealand.
They were up against it early on as the Kiwis threatened to spoil the party at a packed KC Stadium, but they weathered the storm well and showed that this youthful, exciting England side offer hope for the immediate as well as the long-term future.
Much has been made of how New Zealand were missing a number of high-profile stars going into this tour, but their pack was still regarded as a serious threat to Steve McNamara’s side. But the home side prevailed in the forward battle thanks to a number of towering performances.
It was certainly appropriate that on the day Sam Burgess moved a step closer to returning to rugby league, one of his younger brothers, Tom, led the way with an outstanding performance. Whether it is Sam, Tom or his twin brother George, the Burgess family are never far from the headlines, and the young South Sydney Rabbitohs prop showed there is plenty of talent in the family still playing rugby league.
“He [Tom]was incredible tonight, he should be one of the stories of the game,” McNamara said. “I wouldn’t say he was unstoppable but they certainly found him so tough to deal with on occasions.”
An England victory had looked an unlikely prospect when they were trailing 10-0 after 16 minutes, but they dug deep and rallied to go within one win of what could be a potentially huge series victory for the national team.
“I thought it was a huge improvement in the second half,” admitted McNamara. “I thought the four players on the bench turned the game and did a job for us, so huge credit to them.”
Tries from Tohu Harris and Sam Moa put the Kiwis in control early on, but England would fight back to level at 12-12 at the interval thanks to the efforts of Josh Hodgson and Brett Ferres.
That revival was largely down to the arrival of the aforementioned bench. Burgess, James Roby and Ferres all gave England a vital lift. Ferres, who scored a hat-trick in the 84-4 win against France at Leigh Sports Village the previous weekend, went over for his second try here soon after the restart to put England into a lead they would ultimately not surrender.
New Zealand looked worryingly fatigued as the second half wore on, their inexperienced half-back pairing of Tuimoala Lolohea and Peta Hiku failing to break down England’s resolve.
England sealed the win late on when their captain, Sean O’Loughlin, crashed over to send McNamara’s men off to the capital with a spring in their step.
“I think everyone saw there’s something there with our team, especially in the first 30 minutes,” said the New Zealand coach, Stephen Kearney. “I know the talent is there, it’s about making sure we improve and play to our potential, starting next week.”
England Hardaker; J Burgess, Bateman, Watkins, Hall; Widdop, Williams; Graham, Hodgson, Hill, Whitehead, Farrell, O’Loughlin. Interchange Roby, T Burgess, Cooper, Ferres.
Tries Hodgson, Ferres 2, O’Loughlin. Goals Widdop 5
New Zealand Tuivasa-Sheck; Nightingale, Kahu, Whare, Kenny-Dowall; Hiku, Lolohea; Bromwich, Luke, Moa, Proctor, Harris, Blair. Interchange Nikorima, Taupau, Matulino, Taukeiaho.
Tries Harris, Moa. Goals Luke 2
Referee B Thaler (England). Attendance 23,526.
