Four Nations: England 16 New Zealand 17 – new boss Wayne Bennett must beat Scots and Aussies to reach final after late Shaun Johnson drop-goal sinks hosts
Home chief says 'little bit of smartness was the difference' as long wait for international glory could go on
WAYNE BENNETT has found out fast that as an England coach it is the hope that kills you.
Kiwi star Shaun Johnson’s 65th-minute drop-goal proved crucial as the hosts’ Four Nations campaign started with an agonising defeat.
Now England must beat Scotland and world champions Australia if they are to reach the final and maybe end that long wait for international glory.
But, just like in the 2013 World Cup, Johnson was the thorn in the English’s side to leave them really up against it.
England had their chances, but failed to take them — especially when they went left to Sam Burgess and he knocked on as Luke Gale waited in position to go for a levelling one-pointer in front of the posts.
New boss Bennett said: “It’s that little bit of smartness that was the difference.
“We had a try disallowed when we were leading and the next 12 minutes was where the game was lost.
“Now it’s a learning thing. We have to learn how to win games like that — it was credit to them they stayed in the game.
“You’ve got to hope that the players do learn. All I can do is sit back and watch.
“We were outstanding and the effort was there — you can’t win anything without the effort.”
Burgess beat competition from James Graham to be named England captain and he was back home, in more ways than one.
Back in an England shirt after returning to the game he has played since he was a kid, while Huddersfield is just down the road from where he grew up.
A fierce smash on Jared Waerea-Hargreaves lit up the John Smith’s Stadium, but England were very much on the back foot.
Yet they led 4-2 after exchanging penalties when Gareth Widdop’s kick-off went out on the full.
And the Kiwis took advantage as Jordan Rapana broke through on 36 minutes for the opening try.
Short of Graham being penalised for a double movement as he went for the line, and Jermaine McGillvary being held up, there was precious little for England fans to cheer.
When Johnson picked off Widdop’s ball and hared over the line, the familiar doom gathered as England had to score twice in 38 minutes after hardly looking like doing so for 42.
McGillvary gave home fans hope by touching down, but Rapana was at it again after Manu Ma’u’s great offload.
Widdop then converted Ryan Hall’s effort to tie the match at 16-16 — only for scrum-half Johnson to slot over an easy drop-goal winner.
New Zealand coach David Kidwell said: “What a Test match — it had everything.
“England started off like a house on fire and for us to get back into the game was a wonderful effort. Shaun really stepped up.”
Meanwhile, Four Nations rivals Australia have had another pop at England and their Aussie coach Bennett.
The two teams clash in London on November 13.
And after beating Scotland 54-12 on Friday, Australia ace Cooper Cronk hinted Bennett only took the England job after being snubbed by the Kangaroos.
He taunted: “You know and I know there’s obviously something there.
“Mal Meninga was given the Australia job and we can all guess why Wayne coached England.”
ENGLAND: Lomax 6, McGillvary 8, Watkins 6, Sarginson 7, Hall 7, Widdop 5, Gale 6, Hill 6, Hodgson 6, Graham 7, Bateman 6, Whitehead 7, S Burgess 6. Interchange: G Burgess 6, T Burgess 7, Clark 7, Cooper 7.