Four Nations: Playmaker Gale insists confidence is still high

The Kiwis and Australia are now favourites to meet in the tournament decider in 19 days’ time, but Gale feels England will be better for their first hit-out against a top nation under new boss Wayne Bennett.

“I think we’ve got to take a lot from it,” said the Tigers man.

“The result didn’t go our way, but I thought we were the best team for long periods of that game.

“We started off really well, they scrambled well as international teams do.

“The first 20 minutes were really good and the last 20 minutes of the first half I can’t remember getting the ball.

“They got a late try and the start of the second half didn’t go our way as well.

“I didn’t think we were the smartest, but there’s a lot of positives we can take.”

England trailed 12-4 early in the second half and 16-10 on 55 minutes, but hit back to level the scores before Shaun Johnson’s drop goal edged the Kiwis home.

“The effort was outstanding,” Gale added.

“I don’t know how many repeat sets they had, but our goal line D [defence] was outstanding. There was one point in it at the end and we gifted them maybe a couple of tries.

“We could have been smarter, but we will dust ourselves off and go again.