It just would not have been an England victory without late drama. The Baskerville Shield was already being covered in red and white ribbons and England fans were imagining the victory lap before New Zealand somehow managed to jangle a fair few nerves at the end.
Thankfully, not even England could undo the work they did in the first 74 minutes – work that ultimately led them to a resolute and well-deserved series victory. Their coach, Steve McNamara, has had to wait six years for success against a southern hemisphere side while British/English rugby league has had to wait a little longer – 2007 was the last time a side from these shores secured a series against Australia or New Zealand.
Much had been made of how New Zealand, missing several big names, were there for the taking. England’s performance in the first Test at Hull suggested that was the case, but a regression in the second Test last week put the team and the coach under pressure.
McNamara, who has attracted plenty of criticism during his time in charge, faced several big calls with his team selection after the insipid performance at the Olympic Stadium. He responded with two changes that ultimately had a major say in the destination of the series; the Huddersfield winger Jermaine McGillvary stood up to the rigours of international rugby league superbly on debut, while his change at scrum-half proved pivotal.
McNamara opted for the experience of the Wigan half-back Matty Smith, his club team-mate George Williams the one to miss out after a disappointing performance in London. Smith, who had not previously played in the series, produced a performance of real maturity and leadership, guiding England to a victory that sets things up nicely for an exciting two years for the national team.
They can plan for the Four Nations next year and the World Cup in 2017 with enthusiasm. McNamara is almost certainly going to lead them for those tournaments, with a contract extension to the one that expired at the conclusion of this game surely awaiting the 44-year‑old.
“They’re the No1 team in the world and the team that has physically dominated international rugby for the last couple of years,” McNamara said of the Kiwis. “We’ve been able to match them for three games; games with the kind of attrition I’ve not seen for a while. At times, the games lacked a bit of quality, but for us to go toe-to-toe with them has been hugely pleasing and it’s even better to get the result.”
New Zealand can also look ahead to the next two years with optimism. They are still the world’s No1-ranked side and with Shaun Johnson, Simon Mannering and Kieran Foran likely to return after injury, it will be a much stronger Kiwi side on these shores in 12 months for the Four Nations.
Tries from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Jordan Kahu had threatened an unlikely comeback in the final six minutes after England had established a commanding 20-6 lead. The hosts would hold firm in the final seconds, but it was the defensive work they did in the first 70 minutes that secured victory.
England led 8-0 after Elliott Whitehead scored the first of his two tries midway through the opening half, which was improved by Gareth Widdop’s conversion and an earlier penalty from the half-back.
New Zealand piled on the pressure as half-time approached, but England were only breached after an incredible finish by Jason Nightingale; the winger leaping spectacularly over Zak Hardaker to touch down in the corner. Issac Luke’s conversion made it 8-6, but they would not break through the defence again until the win had been secured by the hosts.
The third quarter was a period of complete domination in attack by the Kiwis, but England struck superbly on the counter when, with a rare glimmer of the New Zealand line, Whitehead charged over for his second before Sean O’Loughlin crashed over with nine minutes remaining.
James Graham dropped the kick-off to give New Zealand a quick opportunity to recover but England just about held their nerve.
England Hardaker; McGillvary, Watkins, Bateman, Hall; Widdop, Smith; Graham, Hodgson, Hill, Whitehead, Farrell, O’Loughlin Interchange Roby, Burgess, Cooper, Ferres Tries Whitehead 2, O’Loughlin Goals Widdop 4
New Zealand Tuivasa-Sheck; Nightingale, Kahu, Whare, Kenny-Dowall; Hiku, Nikorima; Bromwich, Luke, Moa, Proctor, Harris, Blair Interchange Brown, Taupau, Matulino, Glenn Tries Nightingale, Tuivasa-Sheck, Kahu Goals Luke
Referee Ben Thaler (Eng) Attendance 24,741 Match rating 8/10
