England v New Zealand Test preview

England v New Zealand second Test preview

Author: Alicia Newton NRL.com Reporter in England
Timestamp: Sun 4 Nov 2018, 08:39 AM

Football nets have been removed and goal posts installed as Anfield hosts game two of the three-Test series between England and New Zealand on Sunday.

The clash marks the first time England have played at the famous venue after missing the 2016 World Cup final with Wayne Bennett's men out to seal a series victory on home turf.

Both sides had their chances in a frantic finish in the first Test at KCOM Stadium but England held their nerve to defend themselves to victory in the opening fixture.

England have lost skipper Sean O'Loughlin to a calf injury for the second clash with a replacement skipper to be named on Thursday, while the Kiwis are hopeful Adam Blair looks set to play after withdrawing last week with a knee complaint but the team will not be finalised until an hour before kick-off.

For New Zealand, they'll need to bounce back after a two-point loss in Hull to force the series into a deciding game and prove their victory over the Kangaroos wasn't a one-off achievement.

Michael Maguire's era as Kiwis coach reads a 1-2 record in 2018 and the recently appointed Wests Tigers coach will be determined to have his side firing on the weekend.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 4 Nov

Full Time

England

Kiwis

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for England is number 1 Jonny Lomax

Fullback for New Zealand is number 1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Winger for England is number 2 Tommy Makinson

Winger for New Zealand is number 2 Ken Maumalo
Centre for England is number 3 Jake Connor

Centre for New Zealand is number 3 Esan Marsters
Centre for England is number 4 Oliver Gildart

Centre for New Zealand is number 4 Joseph Manu
Winger for England is number 5 Jermaine McGillvary

Winger for New Zealand is number 5 Jordan Rapana
Five-Eighth for England is number 6 George Williams

Five-Eighth for New Zealand is number 6 Shaun Johnson
Halfback for England is number 7 Sam Tomkins

Halfback for New Zealand is number 7 Kodi Nikorima

Forwards

Prop for England is number 10 James Graham

Prop for New Zealand is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
Hooker for England is number 9 Josh Hodgson

Hooker for New Zealand is number 9 Brandon Smith
Prop for England is number 15 Thomas Burgess

Prop for New Zealand is number 10 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
2nd Row for England is number 11 John Bateman

2nd Row for New Zealand is number 11 Kevin Proctor
2nd Row for England is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for New Zealand is number 12 Isaac Liu
Lock for England is number 13 Luke Thompson

Lock for New Zealand is number 13 Adam Blair

Interchange

Interchange for England is number 8 Chris Hill

Interchange for New Zealand is number 14 Kenneath Bromwich
Interchange for England is number 14 Adam Milner

Interchange for New Zealand is number 15 Leeson Ah Mau
Interchange for England is number 16 George Burgess

Interchange for New Zealand is number 16 Martin Taupau
Interchange for England is number 17 Daryl Clark

Interchange for New Zealand is number 17 James Fisher-Harris

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 9/23/2022 4:38:03 AM

Key match-up

Oliver Gildart v Joseph Manu

Gildart got the better of Manu in the opening game with the Roosters centre having a quiet outing as he was well contained by the England defence with just 75 running metres. The right edge of Manu and Jordan Rapana is the Kiwis' strongest if they can find more space and be given early ball in similar fashion to their victory over the Kangaroos a fortnight earlier.

Proctor relieved to be back with Kiwis

For England to win

The pack proved they're capable of matching the Kiwis up front so halves George Williams and Sam Tomkins will need to create more in attack particularly with New Zealand's expected bounce-back factor. Josh Hodgson did a lot of work at first receiver and finished off some final plays in a usual roaming role but they overall could get better. The trio will need to step up another gear with slicker finishing for England to clinch the series.

For the Kiwis to win

They'll need to fix their discipline after a lop-sided second-half penalty count in crucial stages of last week's loss with the game on the line. Kiwis skipper Dallin Watene-Zelezniak conceded the side became frustrated at the officiating and let it become a distraction during the game. England's defensive line proved vulnerable on the two occasions the Kiwis crossed the line and Michael Maguire's men should find confidence of exposing England despite defeat last week.

England Stat Attack

England calculated a play-the-ball speed average of almost half a second slower (3.89 seconds) compared to the Kiwis last weekend, indicating a slower ruck speed across the board. James Graham (4.59 seconds) and George Burgess (5.09 seconds) were well above the side's average, while Luke Thompson (3.42 second average) recorded the quickest of the big men.

Kiwis mark Liverpool FC visit with haka

Kiwis Stat Attack

New Zealand motored forward with an average of 53.6 metres per set last week compared to England's 34.6 figure. They tallied an extra 13 tackle breaks and 350 running metres but struggled with their fifth-tackle options and basic error count to enable England's advantage late in the game.