League: All you need to know - Kiwis v England

NZ Herald

27 Oct, 2018 03:45 AM3 mins to read

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Photo / Getty

All you need to know ahead of the Kiwis' first test against England in Hull.

Kiwis v England, Sunday 27 October, 2.30am kickoff

The Kiwis are going into the first test of the three match series against England with a rare win over Australia under their belts, after the surprise 26-24 victory two weeks ago.

It was a scoreline that flattered the Australians as the Kiwis ushered in the Michael Maguire era with a bang, but Kiwis captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is aware of the dangers of being complacent.

"It was awesome for confidence but we can't get ahead of ourselves," Watene-Zelezniak told Radio Sport. "There are three tests coming up. That was a good game to get out of the way and get our confidence up, but there were also things we didn't do well in that game and [we] almost shot ourselves in the foot.

''We have done our review and worked out what we did wrong and take those negatives out of our game, and [also] take the positives out of [that match] into this series."

Meanwhile, England are also trying not to get ahead of themselves, despite the comfortable win against the Kiwis in Denver earlier this year.

England eased to a 36-18 win at Mile High Stadium last June in Maguire's first match in charge of the Kiwis.

But Wayne Bennett's men are aware the Kiwis will be a tougher prospect this time especially with the return of playmaker Shaun Johnson who missed the Denver test.

"They looked fantastic in that performance (against Australia) and we'll have to raise to that," said England fullback Jonny Lomax.

"[Johnson] is a special player but they've got threats all over the field and we'll have to be switched on to that."

Teams

England squad: Jon Bateman, George Burgess, Tom Burgess, Daryl Clark, Jake Connor, Oliver Gildart, James Graham, Chris Hill, Josh Hodgson, Jonny Lomax, Tommy Makinson, Oliver McGillvary, Richie Myler, Shaun O'Loughlin, Mark Percival, Luke Thompson, Sam Tomkins, Elliott Whitehead, George Williams (two to be omitted).

New Zealand squad: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (capt), Ken Maumalo, Esan Marsters, Joseph Manu, Jordan Rapana, Shaun Johnson, Kodi Nikorima, Jesse Bromwich, Brandon Smith, Jared Waerea-Heagreaves, Kevin Proctor, Issac Liu, James Fisher- Harris. Subs: Kenny Bromwich, Leeson Ah-Mau, Martin Taupau, Adam Blair, Jahrome Hughes, Joseph Tapine (two to be omitted).