Third Test (DECIDER!) - ENG v NZ (Sat 14th 1 PM GMT/Sun 15th 12AM AEST / 2AM NZDT)

[Burns]

Welcome to the Official Match Thread for Discussion of the Third Test in the series for the Baskerville Shield!

TEAMS

1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2 Jason Nightingale 3 Jordan Kahu 4 Dean Whare 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6 Peta Hiku 7 Kodi Nikorima 8 Jesse Bromwich 9 Issac Luke 10 Sam Moa 11 Kevin Proctor 12 Tohu Harris 13 Adam Blair
14 Lewis Brown 15 Martin Taupau 16 Ben Matulino 17 Alex Glenn 18 Isaac Liu 19 Gerard Beale​

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

TEST INFORMATION
Played at the DW Stadium, Wigan. Capacity of 25,138. Match is sold out.
Referee: Ben Thaler (English)
Video Referee: TBA

TEST SERIES RESULTS

ENG 26 defeated NZ 12 at Hull. Match Highlights -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-OP37Rv6fM&feature=youtu.be

NZ 9 defeated ENG 2 at London. *Error: No Highlights exist, at all*

BROADCAST
Televised in ENG on BBC 1 at 12:45pm Saturday.
Televised in AUS on Fox Sports 1 12am Sunday.
Televised in NZ on SKY Sport 2 at 2am Sunday.​

 

[Burns]

The Stadium!

Trivia!

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but if the match ends in a draw, England retain the Baskerville Shield and 'win' the series. http://www.nrl.com/confusion-over-england-nz-draw-clause/tabid/10874/newsid/90680/default.aspx

 

[roughyedspud]

sod it...england by 20...lol

 

[roughyedspud]

Trivia!

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but if the match ends in a draw, England retain the Baskerville Shield and 'win' the series. http://www.nrl.com/confusion-over-england-nz-draw-clause/tabid/10874/newsid/90680/default.aspx

we won't win the series if its a draw,the series would be a draw...but yeah we'll retain the shield because the kiwis did'nt win the series either...

thats always been the case,with every series played since 1908 (im referring to the ashes there btw)

 

[Burns]

This series has been a let down from a neutral perspective. Whilst the game shave been proper 'tests' with great defensive plays from both sides, I don't think there has been one genuine line break or well constructed try. That's all fine and well in rugby league, but given the past games we had had between these two nations, the lack of 'free flowing' attack has been disappointing.

All that said! I'm hoping for an English victory. I'm not sure they will be able to withstand another round of failure. Would be good to see some right proper English hospitality in terms of ground atmosphere at well, past 2 test have been oddly quiet. Caaaaaaarn Rugby League!

 

[RL The greatest game]

The Stadium!

Trivia!

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but if the match ends in a draw, England retain the Baskerville Shield and 'win' the series. http://www.nrl.com/confusion-over-england-nz-draw-clause/tabid/10874/newsid/90680/default.aspx

Unless Englands half backs turn up this time there is not a cat in hells chance they will win.

 

[Burns]

Unless Englands half backs turn up this time there is not a cat in hells chance they will win.

Whilst I agree, NZ could only score the one try in Second Test. Prior to that NZ were unable able to score across 90~ minutes of footy stretching back Moa's try in First Test.

If anything this series has shown a marked improvement of England's defence.

 

[The Partisan]

Telecast starts at 11pm for we Queenslanders !

Enough time for a night out then home to catch the first half (at least) at a reasonable hour.

Torn on who i want to win.

Maybe England so some pride can be put back in the often broken hearts of their supporters.

 

[kiwileaguefan]

Whilst I agree, NZ could only score the one try in Second Test. Prior to that NZ were unable able to score across 90~ minutes of footy stretching back Moa's try in First Test.

If anything this series has shown a marked improvement of England's defence.

I would suggest the fact the Kiwis are missing probably the best halves paring in International Football and their greatest ever try scorer, has aided in the improved English defence...to be fair the Kiwis bombed two absolute sitters on the weekend.

I still maintain England are under the most pressure this weekend. They are at home, against a weakened side that historically plays poorly in the UK. In my eyes the Kiwis have already exceeded my expectations, as I honestly had them losing 3-0, or losing 2-1 with the only victory coming on last game of the series.

The thing that worries me is the England will bounce back after the pathetic attacking display they showed last week. I still maintain that the only reason they looked impressive on attack in the first match was because the amount of defence the Kiwis had to do. Added to that when the kiwis had the ball they dropped it straight away in their half. Kinda of similar to last weekend as England had to defend to much.

Whoever holds the ball the longest will win..

 

[roughyedspud]

Do you think our attack looked impressive in the 1st test???


I bloody didn't

 

[Sinman]

Both teams attack has been poor. I Think it's also about intensity though.. More happens when you run harder.. This has been lacking..

 

[kiwileaguefan]

Do you think our attack looked impressive in the 1st test???


I bloody didn't

Compared to last weeks attack.....:sarcasm:

 

[roughyedspud]

was any attacking done at all last week lol

 

[adamkungl]

Here's hoping for one decent match out of 3. Fizzer of a series so far.

 

[The Partisan]

Here here ! Agree 100 %

 

[milton]

This game should be played in a stadium double the size, why do they always play in small stadiums when they have proven to be able to fill large stadiums playing Australia no nz

 

[Billythekid]

This game should be played in a stadium double the size, why do they always play in small stadiums when they have proven to be able to fill large stadiums playing Australia no nz

I sort of agree but at the same time it's hard to complain about the crowds this series. It's got to be one of the highest attended 3 game series ever for RL. Having now seen the games attract such good crowds it would be nice to see some bigger stadiums next time. You also don't want to go too far and end up with half empty stadiums.

 

[roughyedspud]

Even though its been announced as sold out you know theres gonna be 500-1000 empty seats...just like at the kc stadium

 

[deluded pom?]

I sort of agree but at the same time it's hard to complain about the crowds this series. It's got to be one of the highest attended 3 game series ever for RL. Having now seen the games attract such good crowds it would be nice to see some bigger stadiums next time. You also don't want to go too far and end up with half empty stadiums.

It will be the second highest aggregate attendance for an England v New Zealand series. The only one to better it was the one straight after WW2 when people would flock to any form of entertainment after being starved of it for so long.

 

[Rhyno]

NZ by 4