Match thread.

Believe it or not, Fox Sports in Australia have deliberately blacked out this test as a negotiating tactic with the NRL regarding television rights. Disgraceful behaviour.

Hull looks nearly sold out, with a strong chance the entire series will also be a sell-out including London and Wigan.

For me, NZ v England currently represents the high point in on-field rugby league quality world-wide atm - based on the most recent evidence of Dunedin and Wembley. Play on!

New Zealand

1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2 Jason Nightingale 3 Jordan Kahu 4 Dean Whare 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6 Peta Hiku 7 Tuimoala Lolohea 8 Jesse Bromwich 9 Issac Luke 10 Sam Moa 11 Kevin Proctor 12 Tohu Harris 13 Adam Blair

14 Kodi Nikorima 15 Martin Taupau 16 Ben Matulino 17 Sio Siua Takeiaho 18 Alex Glenn 19 Lewis Brown

England

John Bateman, Joe Burgess, Thomas Burgess, Mike Cooper, Leroy Cudjoe Liam Farrell Brett Ferres, James Graham, Ryan Hall Zak Hardaker, Chris Hill, Josh Hodgson, Sean O’Loughlin (c), James Roby, Kallum Watkins, Ben Westwood, Elliott Whitehead, Gareth Widdop, George Williams

Will be surprised if they keep Hiku at 6. He was anonymous against Leeds.

They are still far superior to us in a lot of positions. Especially in the front and back row. Matulino and Luke are a danger combo.

Think it was RTS who said that having spent 40 minutes trying to go around Leeds, it wasn't until New Zealand went direct up the middle and started to generate offloads and ruck speed that they really clicked into gear.

I'd expect them to take that direct approach on Sunday too. It's up to England's forwards to stand up to it and slow them down. If they do, I'm struggling to see how the Kiwis are going to be able to unleash those talented outside backs with such ponderous half-backs.

Expect to see England play the same 17 as against France I reckon.

Only Ryan Hall looks d. The rest look like they're playing a friendly which is odd.

Fairly lucky try could lift us though.

Hall by far the best player so far. Charge down by a Warrington player! Surprise surprise.

In this kind of arm wrestle we would be better off with Jermain McGillveray on the right wing.

Hall is making good yards and Bateman is having a go but Burgess hasn't been getting involved where JM would be making big yards and burning up defenders.

Hall following a McGillveray drive of vice versa would have the kiwis central channel working very hard yet conceding metres.

Wigan players giving penalties away around the play the ball, no surprise there but you have to be smarter than that at this level

Williams, O'Loughlin & Farrell are offering nothing at all. In fact Farrell & O'Loughlin are helping the Kiwis more than England so far.

Davies showing his lack of knowledge and Kear should know better, Harris has to continue his run, he can't stop in the defensive line, end of!

It's a clear obstruction

Yep, can't stop in the defensive line as a dummy runner.

No try every time.

Christ, I didn't expect the anti-Wigan bias this early.

There are no Wigan players playing, they are all England players.

WTF is Jonathan Davies on about? One of the most blatant obstructions you'll see.

And England players Williams, O'Loughlin & Farrell have been crap.

You forgot Burgess and Bateman.

Ps. it was a nice pass by Williams to put Ferres through for his try.

No I didn't, stop being so precious about your beloved Wigan, those 3 players are letting the team down so far.

Williams, Farrell and Bateman have been fine.

Thought the same about O'Loughlin and Farrell, offering nothing really apart their usual giving away of penalties. Been impressed with Williams and Hall so far.

Is there nobody better than Williams in England for the seven shirt?

Tbf, poor first half from both teams. NZ look like they're stuck in second gear. We better hope they don't find third and beyond for the second half. Distinct lack of atmosphere from the decent crowd. It's like they're playing at the AJ Bell. Tbf to Salford fans, we make more noise with a fraction of the numbers.

Here's hoping for a more interesting second half...

Gale.

Gale ? but like McGillvary he plays for the wrong team to be selected !.

Bit of a shaky start from Williams, but he a talented player and he's come good. Hall has been excellent, Bateman worked hard as usual. England still flattered by the half-time score, though.

Williams came good at the end of the half,was impressed with Hodgson before his injury,we need runners off Widdopp as he can create and for any Wigan fans reading this...I'm sorry but sol isn't the player he was