The wait is over. After 86 years, Dunedin will finally host another rugby league test match tonight.
After spending almost a week in the city ahead of the match, including getting out in the community, the Kiwis are now focused on ramping up their performance from a week ago and qualifying for the Four Nations final.
With two wins from their opening two games against Australia and Samoa, the Kiwis can clinch a spot in the final with a win or a draw against England, while a loss by 10 or more points and a big Australian win over Samoa tomorrow will see them miss out.
Following yesterday's captain's run at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Kiwis captain Simon Mannering told the media his side was treating tonight's game as a final.
''Very much so; we are taking this as a must-win game for us. It's a test match against a very good England side and one we want to win. They have got a lot to play for. I'm sure it's going to show out there.''
After last week's sluggish 14-12 win against Samoa in Whangarei, where the Kiwis needed a late Shaun Kenny-Dowall try to get home, the focus for the New Zealanders this week has been on improvement.
''Obviously we didn't play our best brand of footy last week,'' Mannering said.
''It was probably a good game to play after the boys were pretty pumped after the win against Aussie [the week before], to put things back into perspective.''
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney echoed Mannering and said it would take a 17-man performance to beat a very good England side tonight.
''The onus is on everybody stepping up. We weren't satisfied with our performance last week against Samoa.
"The forwards thought they could have done better and so did the backs, but we are all in the same boat. We all need to improve.''
While the number of tickets sold for the match is unknown, they have apparently been selling well and it is hoped the match will be played in front of about 20,000 people.
Earlier in the week, Sir Peter Leitch, otherwise known as the Mad Butcher, challenged Dunedin to beat the 17,000-strong crowd the match in Whangarei attracted last weekend.
Mannering, who has played under the roof a couple of times with the Warriors, hoped he would lead his team on to the paddock in front of a good crowd.
''They [team-mates] are obviously excited to be playing down here and are asking a few Warriors boys and Broncos boys what it's like to play under the roof.
''I think there is excitement among the group about getting a good turnout and putting on a good game of football. It is a great atmosphere in there [the stadium] and hopefully the people of Dunedin come out and support it.
''I know coming down here with the Warriors a couple of times, they enjoy their league down here and I think it can only be good for the game to come to parts like Dunedin that probably don't see a hell of a lot of it, but have a taste for it and enjoy it,'' he said.
- Robert van Royen
New Zealand v England
Forsyth Barr Stadium, tonight, 8pm.
THREE KEY MATCH-UPS
JESSE BROMWICH v GEORGE BURGESS
These two props will go hammer and tongs at each other tonight, in what is sure to be an explosive match-up.
Coming off a stellar season for the Melbourne Storm, Bromwich has been the Kiwis' best forward in the Four Nations campaign, led by his outstanding off-loading.
Burgess, who has 10kg and 1cm on his Kiwi counterpart, is known for his barnstorming hit-ups and stout tackling. This match-up will be fun to watch.
ADAM BLAIR v JAMES GRAHAM
Much like Bromwich and Burgess, these two forwards should provide some fireworks.
Blair and Graham are both brutal tacklers and strong ball carriers. There are bound to be some huge collisions between these two.
SHAUN JOHNSON v MATTY SMITH
In a battle of the halves, Johnson and Smith's play will go a long way to deciding the winner of the match.
Both possess good kicking games and will look to use the perfect conditions under the roof to their advantage.
With a sparkling step and explosive speed, Johnson definitely has an edge in the running game.
THE TEAMS
New Zealand: Pete Hiku, Jason Nightingale, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Dean Whare, Manu Vatuvei, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Jesse Bromwich, Issac Luke, Adam Blair, Simon Mannering (captain), Kevin Proctor, Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: Thomas Leuluai, Greg Eastwood, Martin Taupau, Tohu Harris.
England: Sam Tomkins, Josh Charnley, Kallum Watkins, Dan Sarginson, Ryan Hall, Gareth Widdop, Matty Smith, George Burgess, Josh Hodgson, James Graham, Liam Farrell, Joel Tomkins, Sean O'Loughlin (captain). Interchange: Daryl Clark, Brett Ferres, Tom Burgess, Chris Hill.
THE PREDICTION
Led by their forward pack, the Kiwis should be too strong for the Poms. However, it will be tight, with the home side making enough plays to win 26-16.
