This is the thread not for the emotional cheer squads but for the fans (pro-England or pro- New Zealand) who just want to know what is happening, and who just want to analyse what has happened in the game.

In this thread we analyse individual performances and team performances.

The match begins in just over two hours from now.

First order of business: where have Gareth Widdop and Rob Burrow been selected to play?

We will know the answer shortly.

New Zealand look dangerous with ball in hand.

So do England. Great game so far.

Quality try! The two props for England are having stormers. The test is gonna come when they take a break.

Comment of the tournament from Voss. " James Graham, he's got every kick in the game, they all poor but he's got em all." Class!

Cudjoe is the real weak link in this team. Nothing against him because he is the best we have, but it just shows how bad our centres are in this country.

Anyway if England maintain this intensity for 80 minutes it will be a runaway win, but we can't afford to switch off.

England are doing really well in terms of field position and the kicking game is great in my opinion. I think Widdop is doing really well so far in this game

What a try

I don't know if that's a really good try or a really lucky try. That's not a miracle pass, it's blind panic.

It was sheer quality IMO

Does Cudjoe know how to pass and when he does it's forward.Impressed with Widdop,shown more than Chase has done in a England shirt

England need more composure, they keep panic kicking early in the tackle.

It's a great game though.

Agree with the comments regarding Cudjoe, the ball goes dead whenever it gets to him.

8-8 strange decision to kick IMO

Really tense atmosphere here at wembley. England's forwards building lots of pressure, but there's no real threat from the halves and three quarters. New Zealand look far more dangerous with ball in hand. Hard to see this going England's way at half time. Still, when graham comes back on for his second burst, there'll be opportunities down he middle again.

Should say that widdop is showing why he should have had more game time. Often he's ready to give good ball but the three quarters and second rows just aren't running off him effectively. O'loughlin has played well too. Roby looked sharp. And Watkins at least looks capable of giving charnley a decent pass at some point.

to be fair its not reflecting that way on tv to me it looks like New zealand are getting lucky from balls on the ground. and the english pack is putting the myth to bed that new zealand have the best pack.

Got to agree leroy isn't looking his usual self on that left edge, normally so solid for hudds, very much a confidence player so hope he can pick up

NZ got a bit of luck on that try. You can't pass to no-one and call it skill; the ball can bounce anywhere.

This !!!!

Really enjoying this. Widdop has impressed me and showing that he should have been picked from the first game.
Can't think of a good enough word to describe Sam Burgess' performance so far.

Good defence their by England. Cudjoe had to play for that

Cudjoe again. Opps.
Edit. To be fair, it was god work from NZ.

Bit of a soft start to the 2nd half. Poor kick from Burrow at acting half, then the knock on from the centre.