Blair credits Kiwi patience

New Zealand co-captain Adam Blair has praised his team’s patience in defeating England and squaring the series 1-1.

The Kiwis notced a hard-fought 9-2 win in London on the back of a Shaun Kenny-Dowall try.

Attacking opportunities were limited but a Kodi Nikorima drop goal sealed the win up late in the second half.

Blair credited his side’s defensive effort to keep England tryless.

“All week we worked on our defence, we knew it let us down last week,” he said.

“Credit to those boys they keep coming all day. I’ve got to thank my boys, we kept turning up for 80 minutes tonight.”

Blair said New Zealand had to be patient and take their chances.

The Kiwis had 55% possesion and 57% territory over the 80 minutes. They also enjoyed six more repeat sets than England.

“We had to be very patient,” he said.

“We got a few repeat sets on the line and things like that somethimes you get carried away, but we just kept building pressure.

“That’s what we’ve been working on.”

Blair said the Kiwis can win the series in Wigan next weekend.

“Hundred percent, anything can happen,” he said.

“We’re going to go back to the drawing board. Add heaps of energy this week and get ready for a big game.”

New Zealand co-captain Isaac Luke was named man of the match.

The hooker was pleased with the crucial victory.

“It’s something that we can continue to build on,” Luke said.

“We had a plan during the week that we wanted to execute and the boys really did well.

“Our boys laying the platform and our boys at the back getting us going forward, we were able to build that pressure off the back of them.”