ENGLAND were torn apart in the third test, losing 34-0 at Elland Road to a clinical New Zealand side inspired by half back Kodi Nikorima.

After two narrow test wins, Wayne Bennett’s men featuring a trio of Saints, came to Leeds looking to complete a series whitewash.

But they were met, head on, by a New Zealand outfit determined not to go home empty handed.

Some robust early defence, some of it high, set the tone from the Kiwis – and that, combined with their smothering tactics to slow down the ruck knocked England out of their stride.

New Zealand took the lead on six minutes when Ken Maumalo crossed on the left after a fine offload from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, with Shaun Johnson gaoling.

England rallied and copped some big hits – including a borderline one on Jonny Lomax after he made a half break – and thought they were back in it when Player of the Series Tommy Makinson provided a trademark finish in the corner.

Alas, an obstruction was picked up by the video ref to chalk it off.

In an end to end part of the game New Zealand crossed in the corner, but Jamayne Isaako put a foot in touch before grounding.

At the other end a one-two between James Graham and Luke Thompson misfired, Makinson streaked down the wing to almost set up another and Jermaine McGillvary just failed to collect Lomax’s clever grubber.

England continued to press and Oliver Gildart went over only for the video ref to spot a McGillvary knock on kicking in the build up.

That was as good as it got for England, and the Kiwis countered ruthlessly with Isaac Liu try running a good line at pace with nothing Lomax could do.

And just before half time Nikoroma dashed through for the killer try; there was no way back at 18-0 at half time.

The Kiwis made sure with Ken Maumalo leaping above McGillvary to stretch the lead four mins after the restart to make it 22-0.

Although Makinson thought he had scored again – he had put a foot into touch racing on to long ball before touching down.

And from there the Kiwis saw the game home with tries from Jesse Bromwich and Joseph Tapine to complete a comprehensive win.

England: Lomax; Makinson, Connor, Gildart, McGillvary; Williams, Myler; T. Burgess, Hodgson, Graham, Bateman, Whitehead, Thompson. Subs: Hill, Milner, Greenwood, Ratchford.

New Zealand: Watene-Zelezniak; Maumalo, Marsters, Manu, Isaako; Johnson, Nikorima; J Bromwich, Smith, Warea-Hargreaves, Proctor, Liu, Blair. Subs: K Bromwich, Ah Mau, Papali, Tapine.