Johnson shows class as Kiwis edge victory
ENGLAND 16 NEW ZEALAND 17 NEW ZEALAND half-back Shaun Johnson was again the scourge of England as they fell agonisingly short in their Ladbrokes Four Nations opener in Huddersfield.
The man who broke English hearts in the 2013 World Cup semi-final returned to haunt them in his first game back in the country by orchestrating a 17-16 victory for New Zealand.
Johnson ran the show throughout and came up with the crucial scores, a 70-metre interception try and the winning drop goal, to put the Kiwis in sight of the Anfield final and leave England with the onerous task of beating Australia to give themselves a chance of glory.
Winger Jordan Rapana scored two of New Zealand’s three tries on only his second appearance to help David Kidwell celebrate his first victory as head coach.
The narrow defeat spoiled the homecoming of new England skipper Sam Burgess, who produced a typically-forceful display in a thrilling clash at a sold-out John Smith’s Stadium.
Burgess typically led from the front from the start, forcing Kiwis prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to cough up the ball with a crunching tackle that set the tone for a no-holds barred first half.
England dominated the opening 25 minutes but only had two penalties from Gareth Widdop to show for their efforts.
Right-winger Jermaine McGillvary had a couple of half-chances on his home ground, second rower John Bateman was held up over the line and impressive prop James Graham had a try disallowed.
The tide appeared to turn on video referee Bernard Sutton’s decision to disallow Graham’s effort as the New Zealanders secured a foothold in the game, aided by a run of penalties, one of which was kicked by full-back Jordan Kahu to halve England’s lead.
Centre Solomone Kata was then denied a try by Sutton, who ruled England fullback Jonny Lomax got a hand to Johnson’s grubber kick to make the ball dead.
However, the pressure finally told six minutes before the break when Johnson and Kahu combined to create the space to work Rapana over at the corner. That enabled the Kiwis to turn around 6-4 in front and they doubled their score within two minutes of the re-start when Johnson intercepted Widdop’s pass to touch down at the corner.
Kahu added the difficult conversion but England responded with McGillvary taking Elliott Whitehead’s pass to cross wide out for a try goaled by Widdop.
At that point Bennett opted to give his skipper a breather and, from having all three Burgess brothers on the pitch, there was none and perhaps it was no coincidence they conceded a third try.
A superb offload from Manu Ma’u got Rapana into space and he trampled over Lomax to score his second try.
Kahu’s conversion attempt rebounded off an upright, which kept England within a score, and it was all square on the hour after a couple of instinctive plays.
An overhead flick pass from Widdop got Ryan Hall into his stride and his diving, finish brought him his 29th try for his country.
Widdop’s touchline conversion made it 16-16 but Johnson edged his side back in front with a 65th-minute drop goal which, despite the efforts of Burgess, proved to be the final act of a pulsating match.