New Zealand 20 England 18: match report With Gareth Widdop being drafted in to stand off, following McNamara's shock decision to drop Chase, it was hard to predict whether England could tame a Kiwis side that had been rampant in their previous four games, racking up an average 46 points a game. The start didn't bode well, with hooker Issac Luke and winger Jason Nightingale going close and only a desperate tackle from Ryan Hall - who'd raced across field from the left wing - stopping Bryson Goodwin from clinching the first try. But, somehow, England kept them scoreless and, despite possession statistics massively in the Kiwis" favour, England clawed their way into the game, taking a surprise lead in the 16th minute when loose forward Sean O'Loughlin raced onto a pass from man of the match Sam Burgess. Sinfield converted and added a penalty and it was very definitely game on, with the Kiwis looking unusually rattled and unable to play the structured game they love. Their love for flair and outrageous skill was still very much in evidence, however, and a moment of brilliance from centre Dean Whare to get the ball back into play as he flew into touch set up winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for the first of two tries. Johnson added the conversion and kicked a penalty for a 8-8 half-time score and the fear was that England would live to regret their missed first-half chances. When Tuivasa-Sheck touched down early in the second half, those fears looked even more alarming. England's defence was being stretched and a run of penalties didn't help their cause, but they held their nerve and Sinfield turned the tide back in the home side's favour when his long pass created a try for Kallum Watkins. Sinfield couldn't convert, leaving them two points adrift but the momentum was with England and only a slip from Hall stopped the giant winger adding another try. The Kiwis" let-off was short-lived though with Sinfield sending Sam Burgess over for the prop's eighth try in 14 games and the England star looked like coming out on top in his personal battle with Kiwi great Sonny Bill Williams. But, at 18-14 down following Sinfield's conversion, Williams sensed the danger and called on all his experience as a rugby union world cup winner to keep alive his ambition of becoming the first player to be a world champion in both codes. George Burgess was so rattled by him that he conceded the penalty that ultimately led to Johnson's winner. Sam Burgess said: "We put a lot of hard work into this tournament and we didn't get what we deserved. It is going to take a while to get over this, we are thoroughly disappointed. Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney added: "We always back ourselves if we have got enough time on the clock. If we had the ball I was confident we would give ourselves an opportunity. England were great but we kept fighting and hanging in. ENGLAND: Tomkins, Charnley, Watkins, Cudjoe, Hall; Widdop, Sinfield; Graham, Roby, S Burgess, Ferres, Westwood, O'Loughlin. Subs: Burrow, G Burgess, Hill, Ablett. NEW ZEALAND: Locke, Tuivasa-Scheck, Whare, Goodwin, Nightingale; Foran, Johnson; Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke, Bromwich, Mannering, Williams, Taylor. Subs: Nu'uausale, Kasiano, Matulino, Glenn. NEW ZEALAND: Tries: Tuivasa-Sheck 2, Johnson Goals: Johnson 4. ENGLAND: Tries: O'Loughlin, Watkins, S Burgess Goals: Sinfield 3