Summary

  • England beat New Zealand 36-18 in Denver, USA

  • England trailed 12-0 but scored six tries to seal victory

  • Hall & Whitehead tries in first half

  • Bateman, Makinson, Connor & Whitehead tries in second half

  • Watene-Zelezniak (2) and Marsters score NZ tries

  • Match at altitude in hot conditions

  1. get involved

    Get Involved - Where's the best or strangest place you've ever watched a game of rugby league?published at 21:36 British Summer Time 23 June 2018

    #bbcrl or text 81111

    TwitterImage source, Twitter
  2. Postpublished at 19 mins

    England 0-6 New Zealand

    It's just been a little sloppy by England in their past two or three attacks.

    Jermaine McGillvary, one of the stars of their World Cup campaign, tries to offload but knocks the ball on.

    Then Gareth Widdop drops the ball when attempting a pass.

  3. Postpublished at 17 mins

    England 0-6 New Zealand

    England have made their first interchange - captain Sean O'Loughlin is replaced by Thomas Burgess.

    The TV pictures show O'Loughlin almost gasping for air on the touchline. Maybe the altitude is playing a part already?

  4. Postpublished at 15 mins

    England 0-6 New Zealand

    Esan Marsters and New Zealand have their tails up now. The centre drifts through England's line and is tackled 20 metres from the try line.

    The set ends with the experienced Issac Luke chasing his own low kick, but England shepherd the ball dead.

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:30 British Summer Time 23 June 2018

    #bbcrl or text 81111

    RobboLFC: What a poor try to concede.

    Mark Evans: Dreadful tackling by most of the team.

  6. 'Disappointed with England's kick return'published at 12 mins

    England 0-6 New Zealand

    John Kear
    Wales & Bradford Bulls coach on BBC Two

    A really good try, but I am putting it down to the initial kick return. I was disappointed with England's kick return as they thought it was going out.

  7. try

    TRY: England 0-6 New Zealandpublished at 11 mins

    Esan Marsters, goal Jamayne Isaako

    Commentator's curse - sorry, England fans.

    Jonny Lomax misses a tackle on Kodi Nikorima, who breaks through the line and sets up centre Esan Marsters for a try on his international debut.

    The extra two points are added by Jamayne Isaako.

    Media caption,

    Esan Marsters gives New Zealand the lead

  8. Postpublished at 10 mins

    England 0-0 New Zealand

    England looked in focused mood before kick-off and I'm sure they'll be pretty pleased with how the first 10 minutes have gone, albeit without any points to show for it.

    New England kitsImage source, SWPIX.COM
  9. 'Thumbs up for Lomax'published at 9 mins

    England 0-0 New Zealand

    John Kear
    Wales & Bradford Bulls coach on BBC Two

    I don't like that. It has really taken it's toll on Jonny Lomax. He gets the thumbs up from the physio which is good to see.

  10. Postpublished at 9 mins

    England 0-0 New Zealand

    Ooof, that's a strong hit on England half-back Jonny Lomax.

    He didn't see Martin Taupau coming through as he released the ball, and understandably the medical staff are taking a little time to get him back to speed.

    England's Jonny LomaxImage source, BBC Sport
  11. Postpublished at 8 mins

    England 0-0 New Zealand

    New Zealand's first run at the England line and they get close, but Esan Marsters charges into a wall of white shirts on the last tackle and the ball is handed over.

  12. 'Effective England'published at 6 mins

    England 0-0 New Zealand

    John Kear
    Wales & Bradford Bulls coach on BBC Two

    England will be delighted with that set for 74 metres relying on ruck speed and quick play. It was very effective indeed.

  13. Postpublished at 5 mins

    England 0-0 New Zealand

    There's plenty of sunscreen on the faces of the England players - the sun is out and BBC commentator Dave Woods says it's about 29 degrees in Denver.

    There's a decent pace to the game early on, but expect the heat and the altitude to be a factor later on.

  14. 'Safe set from England'published at 3 mins

    England 0-0 New Zealand

    John Kear
    Wales coach on BBC Two

    It was a safe set from England. The ball was moved but away from the defensive line and New Zealand were comfortable with what England threw at them.

  15. Postpublished at 2 mins

    England 0-0 New Zealand

    A positive start by England, who get an early penalty and get to within five metres of the New Zealand line, but the move runs out of steam and John Bateman is tackled into touch.

  16. Kick-offpublished at 21:14 British Summer Time 23 June 2018

    England 0-0 New Zealand

    We've had the Kiwi haka, which is always a wonderful spectacle.

    The stadium singer's attempt to sing the New Zealand national anthem was also a wonderful spectacle, but for very different reasons. It was like she was singing a different song!

    Anyway, this isn't The X Factor. This is rugby league in the USA. Let's get going - now that we've found a kicking tee for New Zealand's Issac Luke.

  17. Postpublished at 21:13 British Summer Time 23 June 2018

    England v New Zealand (21:10 BST)

    Jon Wilkin
    Former England forward on BBC Two

    I think England will be better through structure and shape. New Zealand pose a threat to England with offloads.

    Line upsImage source, SWpix
  18. Postpublished at 21:12 British Summer Time 23 June 2018

    England v New Zealand (21:10 BST)

    It's a big day for England's most-capped player James Graham, who makes his 40th appearance for his country today.

    Former St Helens prop Graham has also played five times for Great Britain.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post 2

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post 2
  19. Postpublished at 21:09 British Summer Time 23 June 2018

    England v New Zealand (21:10 BST)

    Justin Holbrook
    St Helens head coach on BBC Two

    It is a bit of a gamble to go with only two forwards for England on the interchange bench, but I think they will be too strong for New Zealand.

  20. Line-upspublished at 21:08 British Summer Time 23 June 2018

    England v New Zealand (21:10 BST)

    England: Ratchford; McGillvary, Bateman, Percival, Hall; Lomax, Widdop; Hill, Roby, Graham, S Burgess, Whitehead, O'Loughlin.

    Interchanges: Connor, T Burgess, Makinson, Taylor.

    New Zealand: Watene-Zelezniak; Isaako, Marsters, Hiku, Maumalo; Maire Martin, Nikorima; Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke, Asofa-Solomona, Faitala-Mariner, Tapine, Taupau.

    Interchanges: Fisher-Harris, Griffin, Ese'ese, Ah Mau.

    Referee: Ben Thaler