Interesting that whilst NZ beat Australia they were often their own worst enemy today with errors, errors that Australia never seem to make against us and thus make it a much different challenge.

He's definitely got an eye on the WC and getting a big squad of players who are all pushing each other but some of the changes this series have been down to injury. Tbh sometimes that isn't always a bad thing because you see how these guys who are next in line go, as we've seen this series.

Makinson was absolutely class again.

26k in attendance is not good enough.

It's a huge improvement on last week, hopefully it'll increase again next week.

Another good battling performance from England.

I agree, BUT it was a great game today, best England game since the classic 2013 semi final. They need to get more games in the calender and attract the new fans they will have won at Anfield and on TV back for more.

Throw some cash at Tonga and get them here for a mid season test next year. Playing France in a non-event or worse still no game at home in 2019 at all would be a disaster.

Once again I was amazed at the amount of "Maguiring" that was allowed to go on at the ruck. I thought southern hemisphere refs were really tough on that sort of thing.

Thought England looked more solid than they have done for many years. Good that so many so called stars missing - allowed other players to be given a chance and they came up with the win.

And yet people are still calling for the same old tired names to go back into the team when fit. The same tired names that have tried so many times and failed us in the past. Im a Wigan fan but even i admit that O'loughlin should call it a day at this level. Let him have his farewell game next week if fit. Watkins and Hall should now be second choice.

It is shocking and the blame lays fairly at the feet of the RFL and apathetic fans. For too long fans have referred to Rugby League as TGG, when they are still not prepared to travel to watch it. This is down in no small part to the RFL not having a clue how to market the game, but also with the reluctance of fans to travel and maybe fork out £100 for a day out.
The two games so far have been of a fair quality (2nd test was better) but have both featured high drama........42,000 over the 2 games is atrocious.

As a Leeds fan I feel Hall (Like O'loughlin) should retire. Watkins is still young and good enough. As for being second choice, no player should be a "shoe-in". All positions should be filled by the best player available at the time.

Great to get the win but let’s not get carried away that we don’t often beat New Zealand at home.

I agree that some players shouldn’t go straight back into the team but at the same time can’t say they’re second choice. WRT to Watkins, Gildart did well last week but struggled today, not enough to say next year he’s ahead of Watkins (or behind him either). Hall will have to have a good year to get a wing spot but so will Makinson, McGillivary, Johnstone, Manfredi, etc. and Hall will be playing in the NRL next year. If he performs good over there can you dismiss him as 2nd choice?

Cant agree on Watkins. Hes been given chances time and time again and has always been poor in the big games. Maybe hes just another of those players that cant recreate club form on the world stage? He should now be 4th choice behind Percival.

I'm a miserable, negative sod where RL is concerned but after a few years of thinking we're going down the toilet - a couple of excellent tests have reinvigorated me. Lets stop talking us down as those two tests have reminded me that we really do have the best product (I'd just watched eng v sa and been impressed with their sell out and atmosphere...but by god the action was cack). Imagine our game at full throttle being 'consistenly' played in front of packed houses...it would be untouchable.

I dont care if he is playing on the moon next year. They have had their chances and failed us too many times. Time to look forward not backwards.

How has Hall failed England?

They haven't though. Hall has probably been England's most consistent player along with Graham and Burgess over the last decade, and Watkins was outstanding in the last world cup. If both have good seasons and stay injury free then they'll be back in the squad next season, as will Widdop, Burgess and Roby.

Thought our pack laid the foundation they just wouldn't lie down when the going got tough especially in the last 15 mins of each half, were we usually lose bit of composure it was the Kiwis who were found wanting in that department.

Makinson, Whitehead and Hodgson were my top 3 closely followed by Connor, Thompson and Williams. Gildart was our weakest player but I think the Kiwis put a lot more pressure on him.

Might have been a disappointing crowd but we made a lot of noise and the England team responded well to keep there heads up when the going got tough. For once we seem to have strength in depth in most positions so everyone is going to be competitive to keep that England shirt.

The sooner they let the Hearns have a crack at promoting some games the better, we have the superior product but by far the weaker marketing.

The RFL need to ask why 14k less people were there today than Australia - NZ at the same ground just 2 years ago, I know that was a final, but England playing should have made it a much easier sell. Its was the same story at the Olympic Stadium, an initial good crowd is then followed up by a big drop.

Luckily Leeds already had the best sales of the 3 games, so next Sunday's crowd should still be good despite it now being dead rubber.

disgraceful performance by Tommy Makinson on scoring a hat trick, how the hell is Tom Johnstone going to get a place now



on a bright note sit down Sean O'Loughlin as Thompson has just taken your place

Indeed. Makinson has been superb.
Whether it's the thought of Johnstone taking his sope or just superb wing play, I dont know but you have to say, well played really well played, clear MoN today but, I thought Connor did exceptionally well today. Never had much ball but, his tough was superb.

Defensively Connor was shown up a coupe of times but his mongrel and ability to get his winger in attack was excellent. They need lots of game time together now to develop a good wing centre partnership