League: Kearney's tactical switch key to win

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck of New Zealand battles for the ball with Ryan Hall of England during the International Rugby League Test Series match between England and New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney admits his late switch of Kodi Nikorima for Tui Lolohea today was one of the biggest calls of his coaching career.

At the start of the week Nikorama, who played from the interchange bench last week, was left out of the 17 for this match.

But Kearney - acting on a hunch and some feedback from his coaching staff - decided to make the change on Thursday afternoon.

"It was a real big call," said Kearney. "At the beginning of the week I had it in my mind that I would use Tui there (at halfback). But over the course of the week I just had a feeling myself - and in consultation with the coaching group - I thought Kodi would be a better fit for us today."

Kearney stressed the move - which is rare in the modern game - was purely tactical and based on a gut feel.

"It was certainly nothing that Tui did or anything," said Kearney. "I just felt Kodi was the better fit. [But] it was a tough call."

It will go down as a masterstroke from Kearney. Lolohea - as Kearney said - didn't do anything wrong in the first test - but did struggle to impose himself on the match. In hindsight, it was a big ask for the 20-year-old to run the team with so much inexperience around him.

Nikorima is a slightly more structured player, and was a good foil for Peta Hiku today. He also has more big game experience - having been involved in the Broncos' finals run - albeit with cameos off the bench.

The 20-year-old was remarkably composed, linking well with his outsides and managing some deft grubbers. He also helped to create the only try of the match, making a half break down the blindside before slipping the ball to Tohu Harris who sent Shaun Kenny-Dowall across in the corner.

Peta Hiku also stepped up from last week, where he started well before fading with the rest of the team. The Manly utility was in everything at the Olympic Stadium and twice crossed the English try line, only to have the ball dislodged on both occasions. Hiku was also a key part of an improved kicking game from the Kiwis, and his precise grubbers forced numerous repeat sets in the second half.

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