The match that got away
Maguire, though, is not the type to make excuses. And the Kiwis would know that this is one they let get away.
There were several times where they seemed to be taking control, on both sides of the ball. With props Jesse Bromwich and Jared Waerea-hargreaves again laying a strong platform, the visitors ran for more than 300 metres than England.
But unlike against Australia, they failed to sustain the pressure for long periods.
The two tries laid on by halves Shaun Johnson and Kodi Nikorima came off superb pieces of play, but the execution went missing across the board in the second half.
Too often a pass was slightly off the mark, disrupting the flow of the attacking raids. And the short kicking game struggled to generate repeat sets in the red zone – the key to winning any game let alone a test match.
Discipline was also an issue. The Kiwis conceded nine penalties to five by England and while the consistency of the refereeing at the ruck left a lot to be desired, they need to do a better job of adjusting.
Like the Kiwis, England were missing several high-profile players but Wayne Bennett has developed a resilient unit.
They had few scoring chances in the second half but one play was all they needed to rip the game from New Zealand’s grasp.
And one gets the feeling England, with their makeshift halves pairing featuring regular fullback Sam Tomkins, will only be better for the run.
The Kiwis are more than capable of bouncing back, though.
There are enough players in the squad who have toured England in the past to know that this was always going to be a close series. And those making their first trip have quickly been brought up to speed.
But as the teams head to Anfield, it will take a much more clinical effort to keep the series alive.
Premiership final:
❚ Auckland 40 (Tumua Manu, Akira Ioane, Jordan Trainor, Caleb Clarke, Mike Sosene-feagai, Leon Fukofuka tries; Harry Plummer 5 cons), Canterbury 33 (George Bridge, Tom Sanders tries; penalty try; Brett Cameron 4 lpens, 2 cons), after extra time. HT: 7-20; FT: 26-26.
❚ Waikato 36 (Sevu Reece 2, Quinn Tupaea, Matty Lansdown, Tyler Campbell tries; Fletcher Smith 4 con, pen) Otago 13 (James Lentjes try; Josh Ioane con, 2 pen). HT: 19-6.
❚ Thames Valley 17 (Brett Ranga, Sergio de la Fuente tries; Reece Boughton pen, 2 con) South Canterbury 12 (Loni Toumohuni, Kalavini Leatigaga tries; Willie Wright con). HT: 3-12.
❚ Horowhenua-kapiti 26 (Aaron Lahmert, David Mcerlean tries; James So’oialo 4 pen, 3 con) Wairarapa Bush 23 (Soli Malatai, Sam Gammie tries; Tipene Haira 2 con, 3 pen). HT: 16-7.
Championship final:
Meads Cup final:
Lochore Cup final: