But overall they weren't good enough. Their much vaunted forward pack ceded control of the middle of the park to England in the second half and the new halves combination of Tui Lolohea and Peta Hiku couldn't provide the organization and structure required, despite some bright individual moments.
After a spectacular light show, the anthems sung by a choir of hundreds of local schoolchildren and a ferocious haka - well received by the capacity crowd - the Kiwis made an impressive start.
Tohu Harris opened the scoring in just the sixth minute, hitting a Hiku pass at a perfect angle, after a series of offloads had created momentum earlier in the set. Hiku - who had a bright start to the match - was heavily involved in the next Kiwis try. He regathered a charge down on halfway and took play close to the line, before Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - is there anything he can't do - sent Sam Moa through a hole close to the posts.
Josh Hodgson's responded for England soon after, darting over close to the line after a series of fumbles. It was slightly fortuitous for the home side, but the Kiwis were guilty of switching off a moment too soon.
The turning point of the first half unfolded just after the 30 minute mark. The Kiwis thought they had put the seal on a fine start with a Jordan Kahu try, the debutant diving across after Tuivasa-Sheck speared through the line. But the video referee found an obstruction - which no one else among the 27,000 crowd had seen - and the try was chalked out.
On first glance it was a harsh call and it seemed to rattle the Kiwis, who lost their focus as England rolled upfield, then Brett Ferres strolled over off a Gareth Widdop pass. They gave the home side momentum for the first time in the match and they carried it into the second half, as mistakes begun to creep into the New Zealand game. The Kiwis barely completed a set in the first 20 minutes of the second half, and didn't spend any time in English terrority.
They lost their swagger out wide and their intimidation up front; it was almost inevitable that England would score - but the manner - Ferres smashing through the heart of defence next to the posts - was a psychological blow. The Kiwis looked rattled as they gathered behind their posts, and it seemed a long way back. They never came close to retrieving it, with captain Sean O'Loughlin topping off a perfect night for the home side.
England 26 (J Hodgson, B Ferres 2, S O'Loughlin tries; G Widdop 5 goals)
New Zealand 12 (T. Harris, S. Moa tries; I Luke 2 goals)
Halftime: 12-12
Autex - Proud sponsor of New Zealand rugby league since 1981
- By Michael Burgess
