New Zealand has again beaten England in a nailbiter after the Kiwis sealed their place in the Four Nations rugby league final with a 16-14 win over England in Dunedin on Saturday.

Reminiscent of their World Cup semi-final epic at Wembley Stadium last year, the match was in doubt until the final hooter as England attacked furiously, looking for the winning try in the first league test played in Dunedin for 86 years.

The teams each scored three tries – all by wingers – but England five-eighth Gareth Widdop hit the uprights with two of his conversion attempts.

“We’re very pleased, that defensive effort showed a lot of spirit,” New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney said.

“We knew England would throw everything at us and they did. They’re a big physical team and they really tested us. We had to make a lot of tackles.”

The Kiwis appeared comfortable at 16-8 early in the second half but England hit back with Ryan Hall’s second try and it was a two-point game for an enthralling last 25 minutes.

“Everyone contributed to a courageous effort,” Kearney said.

“They came up with some big tackles. The composure wasn’t all we wanted at times but we’ll look at that going into the final next week.”

That appears certain to be against Australia next weekend unless Samoa achieves a big victory over the Kangaroos in Wollongong on Sunday.

“We’re just focused on performing as well as we can,” Kearney said.

“The last two weeks in New Zealand have been wonderful. The support has been outstanding. There was a real buzz in Dunedin this afternoon before the match.”

Kiwis captain Simon Mannering was sore but proud after his players withstood their sternest test of the tournament so far.

“We haven’t played out best footy at times but we’ve usually pulled together when it’s mattered,” he said.

“There will be some sore bodies for a few days. We know the job’s still not finished.”

Mannering said the 30-12 win over the Australians in the tournament opener in Brisbane did not count for anything now.

“There’s been quite a bit of footy played since then and we know we will have to play even better than we did first time around.”

England coach Steve McNamara was gutted but gracious after his side’s second consecutive narrow loss in the tournament.

“It was a tremendous Test, a great game,” he said.

“Last week was a fingertip; tonight we were twice the width of the goalposts away.”