England’s hopes of repeating their Hong Kong success at Singapore ended last month as they lost by 19-10 to eventual winners, New Zealand. In a tense tie that slipped away from the men in white in the first few minutes, the All Blacks ran in two tries to take a 12-0 lead.

England hit back with a Ben Gollings try, the stand-off twice kicking ahead before touching down. When Jamie Noon scored a second half try, England were back in the game at 10-12, only for New Zealand to score a converted try to win by 19-10.

England captain, Jamie Noon, admitted that England were always going to be disadvantaged without the continuity that New Zealand enjoy. “If the whole squad was together from tournament to tournament, we would be much better,” he said. “We could have beaten New Zealand. The game was very close.”