Herald rugby league writer Michael Burgess looks at three things we learned from the Kiwis 14-20 loss to England this morning,
International football is a test
The new players in the Kiwis - as well as the ones who have been in the team over the last two years and tasted so much success - learnt a lot about the harsh reality of test football today. Across the three match series it would be hard to argue that England were the superior side, but they were better when it mattered today and take the trophy, ultimately defining the New Zealand tour as a failure.
Woes continue in Wigan
After today's defeat, the Kiwis' winless streak in Wigan now stretches to ten matches and more than a century. Looking back at the statistics it seems like one of those historical anomalies, but being at the DW stadium today you understood why.
Places like Leeds, Hull and Huddersfield are also tough places to play but this was something else. The Wigan crowd didn't stop from the first whistle, a constant wall of noise that lifted England through the tough moments. They were sporting as well - applauding generously for Jason Nightingale's superb try - but definitely `helped' local referee Ben Thaler make some of his decisions.
English pack stands up - again
Despite all the talk about the Kiwis pack before the series, the English stood up - and arguably bettered their opposites today. The Kiwis forwards weren't helped by errors out wide - which slowed New Zealand momentum - but England were tougher when it mattered. The two crucial tries in the second half, to Elliott Whitehead and Sean O'Loughlin were right through the heart of the New Zealand defence.
