England overcome dreadful start to draw first blood against world’s top-ranked team New Zealand
England arrested a woeful start to seal a 26-12 victory and draw first blood in their three-Test series against New Zealand at Hull’s KC Stadium.
Steve McNamara’s side recovered from a 10-0 deficit as replacement back-row forward Brett Ferres touched down twice, while hooker Josh Hodgson and skipper Sean O’Loughlin also crossed the line.
It was England’s first victory over the No1 ranked team in the world since 2011, and helped ease the pain of agonising defeats to the Kiwis in the 2013 World Cup semi-final and last year’s Four Nations series.
England’s next tussle with New Zealand is at London’s Olympic Stadium on Saturday.