England boss Steve McNamara: We are confident heading into third New Zealand test

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England boss Steve McNamara: We are confident heading into third New Zealand test
 
THE wait and agony goes on for England’s long-suffering fans after this dull defea
 
 Steve McNamara’s men had a chance to clinch their first series win over a southern hemisphere side for eight years.
 
 Instead they served up a display lacking in ideas, attack or any noticeable passion.
 
 But their defence was outstanding at times, including one period when they survived 24 tackles on their own line.
 
 Overall it was a huge disappointment after last week’s 26-12 opening win at Hull.
 
 McNamara said: “We gave ourselves too much to do defensively and in a game as tight as that, ultimately that cost us.
 
 “We did too much defence on our own line and we also gave them possession on our last plays with basic errors.”
 
 The display left a 44,393 London Olympic Stadium crowd flat and now gives fans a nervy week ahead.
 
 The Kiwis – the No.1 ranked team in the world – will go into Saturday’s final Test at Wigan with their tails up.
 
 McNamara added: “The result is disappointing but I am not too worried. We are very confident we can go to the third Test and get the job done.”
 
 Kiwi boss Stephen Kearney said: “Right from kick-off there was a difference in intensity and commitment to defence from last week.
 
 “But I do not think that performance will be good enough next week so it makes it a real challenge for us.”
 
 A tight first half saw the sides go in level at 2-2 thanks to penalties from Gareth Widdop and Issac Luke.
 
 Kearney managed to rouse his troops at half-time and they responded within three minutes of the restart.
 
 Winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall touched down in the corner after good work by Kodi Nikorima and Tohu Harris.
 
 Jordan Kahu added the conversion but still England failed to lift themselves out of second gear.
 
 England back-rower Brett Ferres managed to deny half-back Peta Hiku a try with a terrific tackle.
 
 But it took England until the 72nd minute to produce their first try-scoring chance.
 
 Josh Hodgson’s grubber kick fooled two Kiwi players and James Graham pounced.
 
 On-field referee Gerard Sutton ruled it was a try but the video referees overruled him, claiming Graham had not grounded properly.
 
 But New Zealand had the final say with a 77th-minute Kahu drop goal to seal the win.