League: Three things to take from the Kiwis disappointing loss to England

New Zealand's Jesse Bromwich dejected after his side loses to England. Photo / Photosport

Kiwis vs England – Three things

Mistakes and mayhem cost Kiwis

Eight minutes in the second half completely turned this match.

With New Zealand leading 14-6 with 25 minutes to play, cool heads were needed but the Kiwis lost theirs.

A late hit on Sam Tomkins gave England field position, then handling errors in the next three Kiwis' sets upped the pressure and completely handed the initiative to the home side.

By the time that spell was over England had crossed twice, levelled the scores and had all the momentum.

New Zealand's James Fisher-Harris tangles with England's Josh Hodgson. Photo / Photosport

Controversial call - again

For the second test in succession, video referee Ben Thaler played a role in the eventual result.

Last week he found an absurd penalty try, and at Anfield he was again perhaps overly patriotic in his decision to award England's match-winning try.

It had been a superb run by Tommy Makinson, and was sent upstairs as a try, which has to be kept in mind.

But the winger had no control, and clearly lost the ball over the line.

It would have been a tough, and unpopular, call, but needed to be made.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Photo / Photosport

Dallin delivers

He led, but not enough of his teammates followed.

Kiwis captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was again superb at Anfield, after a strong display last week.

His play to set up Ken Maumalo for the Kiwis' second try was outstanding, after scoring the first himself, and his willingness to constantly run full throttle into the English line was inspirational.

He's only 23, but could develop into one of the great Kiwi captains.