First Test - England v New Zealand (Sunday 1st Nov 5PM GMT/ Monday 6AM NZDT/4AM EST)

[Cloudsurfer]

He won't be, though - has the job by default. That's one of the last hurdles for NZ rugby league to overcome - we've won trophies, beaten Australia back to back, climbed to the top of the rankings - but there's a serious lack of quality competition in our coaching ranks that doesn't look like changing any time soon.

Congrats, England. Well deserved. Hopefully the quality of the next tests will match some of the epic clashes we've had in recent times.

Kearney has the job by default but has achieved the above? Lol

Hardly a hurdle to overcome - if you mean coaching is an area we need to build depth in, you're right but jeez, acknowledge the man for what has been achieved

As for last night's test, Kiwis looked tired and England capitalised well. Hoping the next test is a different kettle of fish...

 

[JasonE]

Not getting ahead of myself or anyone else for that matter, just responding in kind to some of the excuse making idiots.

It's fortuitous for New Zealand that Tomkins, G Burgess, Charnley, Reed and Westwood weren't fit for England

Alex Walmsley would have been in the side too if fit, he is an absolute beast.

 

[roughyedspud]

Gonna give the game another watch now...sober lol

 

[Indelible]

Finally just got to watch the game on Fox. England forwards turned up the heat and Nez couldn't match it. G Williams is quality - outplayed Widdop

 

[bedlam breakout]

neither team were great on the day- 1st test working each other out- expect a much better game in test 2 -must win for nz so different approach

 

[miguel de cervantes]

no highlights on youtube? anywhere?

 

[Auckland4ever]

Kearney has the job by default but has achieved the above? Lol

Hardly a hurdle to overcome - if you mean coaching is an area we need to build depth in, you're right but jeez, acknowledge the man for what has been achieved

Well, who were the proven, quality coaches that applied for the Kiwis coaching job last time around? He did get the gig by default.

Coaching is an area we need to build depth in is exactly what I mean. And it's definitely a hurdle that needs to be overcome if we want sustained, long-term success in this sport.

I'm not saying that Kearney should be sacked, but just because he has had success in the past doesn't mean he should be above criticism or that there shouldn't be consequences for failure. It would be a hell of a lot healthier for NZ rugby league if Kearney had quality coaches nipping at his heels, wanting to fill his position.

 

[deal.with.it]

NZ started well, if they went on to win it the NZ fans would be boasting about the depth of their halves. Instead, England fight back, win the match, and now NZ fans are blaming the coach.
You can't win every match. Chill out.

 

[Sinman]

yeah but not picking Benji out of spite is a pretty poor choice I think!!

 

[AllThingsPII]

How did hodgo and Whitehead go?

They both went well :thumn

 

[Last Week]

yeah but not picking Benji out of spite is a pretty poor choice I think!!

I don't think it's a bad philosophy to not select players who don't fit in with the culture you're trying to create. No matter how good they may be.

Not saying Benji is like thisthis, I'd have no idea, if someone doesn't take things seriously or is aa bad influence on other players, they could disrupt the whole camps prep.

Weren't there rumours that certain members of the NZ squad before the 13 WC final went out on the piss the night before? And that's stopped some players from being selected again?

 

[PARRA_FAN]

no highlights on youtube? anywhere?

Eventually it will be, hopefully. Not sure at this stage. Would be good to watch though, I missed the highlights last night but would've watched it on the live version had it been shown live in the first place. :x

 

[Evil Homer]

no highlights on youtube? anywhere?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/34694379

 

[BrisbaneRhino]

That won't work in Aus. I found highlights on an NZ website:

http://www.3news.co.nz/sport/video-...sh-second-rate-kiwis-2015110208#axzz3qOfN9zjA

 

[RL The greatest game]

From reading the reports it seems that the monster Kiwi pack got beaten by the even bigger England monster pack.

 

[roughyedspud]

All 4 of our prop rotation was incredible..tom really is start to step up to georges level imo

Hodgson & roby were very effective

Ferrell tackles his heart out..leading tackler iirc
Whitehead went very well for his first start against the big boys..inches short of bagging a try too..

Ferres...started on the bench,scored twice,won MoM...what more can be said?

And captain o'loughlin had "mr kapow" in his back pocket whenever he came on..adam blair tried tackling our captain...bless him,as adam woke up yet??

 

[JAMES_FOO]

Struggling to find match stats for the game? anyone have any good sources? 0

 

[miguel de cervantes]

No bikkies for the highlights. Why hasnt't the RFL or someone put something on youtube? Why is rugby league so hopeless?

 

[roughyedspud]

Depends on the digtial media rights lad..they might not be able to put it on youtube

 

[morningstar]

http://youtu.be/u-OP37Rv6fM