England to win on Sunday 28 - 22 and win the series 2-1

I expect an easy 3-0 series win anything less would be a failure

A 2-1 series win against the team ranked number 1 in the world would be a failure.

Hello Iestyn!

I think it'll be 2-1 England with the final Test being the decider.
England to win the first Test though.

England 28 v 20 NZ

MotM Widdop

It could go either way. NZ are severely weakened, not only by the loss of Shaun Johnson (who wouldn't be?), but also by the lack of depth in cover at half-back to replace him. They are still an awesome go-forward outfit, though, with the likes of Matulino, Harris, Proctor, Blair and Taupau. Since the World Cup we've lost Sam Burgess but a few others have stepped up, notably the Wigan youngsters.

To talk, as Harris did, of anything less than 3-0 being a failure, is bolleaux of the first order, though. I'd be delighted with 2-1 and I think England can achieve it. Although I have a ticket for the Third Test at Wigan, I don't believe I'll be too concerned if it turns out to be a dead rubber cos England are 2-0 up!

They maybe ranked number 1 but there not better than Australia there playing away from home and most of there best players are at home so yes a 2-1 win would be a failure

I think that the Kiwis will win the series

I don't get this mentality we have.
Every test team in history has gone into a series with injuries.

Because the kiwis have lost a few they are 'no hopers' and even if we do win the series it will only be because they were 'the poorest touring side ever'.

How many times have England gone into a series with key players out or blatantly unfit? When we've lose it's because we're not good enough as a country or a rep side.

If we beat the kiwis we will have beaten the no. 1 test side. A great achievement. End of story.

Agreed. Johnson is obviously a big miss for them but they still have an awesome pack, with one of the best 9's around in Luke, and some fine three quarters too so the halves that do play will have plenty to work with. We are not playing a virtual second string like 2007 and to beat this team over three tests will still be an excellent achievement imo, although i'm sure plenty on here will try play it down if we do.

Kiwis to win 2-1. The limited time the team spends together inevitably leads to a rather functional approach and both Aus and NZ are simply better than us when the game's played in this way. Not sure what the answer is, tbh.

I would like to see a 3-0 series but I do not think it would happen win by 2-1 will do

England to win 3-0.