Kiwis v England: Three predictions

The Kiwis perform the haka before last weekend's test match againt Samoa. Photo / Getty Images

Three predictions for tonight's Four Nations test between the Kiwis and England at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

1. The Kiwis will be much improved from last week's effort against Samoa
Tonight's match should see the Kiwis turn in a much sharper performance following on from last weekend's error-ridden display against Samoa.

They will be expecting another rugged physical encounter against the big England forward pack and the hard toil of the Whangarei clash should hold them in good stead.

Having dominated the Kangaroos up front in their first-up win in Brisbane, the Kiwis' big men were disappointed their standards slipped at Toll Stadium and their backline play suffered as a result.

The pressure is on the New Zealand forwards to win control of the ruck and once again give their playmakers, halfback Shaun Johnson and five-eighth Kieran Foran, the room they need to execute their attack effectively.

A loss tonight could still prevent the Kiwis from advancing to next weekend's final, and the home side will be determined to avoid that embarrassing scenario at all costs.

2. Johnson to run like the wind
Shaun Johnson will bounce back after a quiet showing in Whangarei where the No 7 failed to take the game by the scruff of the neck like he did in game one in Brisbane.

It wasn't until late in the final quarter when the result was in the balance that Johnson began probing for holes in the defence and the Kiwis attack looked more promising.

His cause wasn't helped by the fact the Kiwis forwards were struggling. In particular Johnson's right-edge back-row partner in crime, Kevin Proctor, was closely guarded by Samoa and they were unable to combine as effectively as they did against the Kangaroos.

If the Kiwis can get the roll-on up front in tonight's match then Johnson will take the line on more and is certain to trouble England's defence at some stage.

3. England need to show greater variety in their play to trouble the Kiwis
England have looked lethal when they are in attacking position near the opposition line but appear to be one-dimensional when coming out of their own half.

So far in this tournament the visitors have relied heavily on their big forwards to work it off their own line, with little thought given to moving the ball to the edges or out wide until they are inside the opposition half.

The England backline contains plenty of dangerous runners and they shift the ball through the hands better and quicker than any of the other three teams, but that sparkling style of play has only been sighted once the forwards have powered down field.

If England's big men struggle to gain the ascendancy in the middle of the park, questions remain over their ability to alter their game plan and find new avenues to attack.

If the Kiwi forwards can muscle up and restrict England's go-forward I expect New Zealand will be able to contain them and come away with a third straight win.