The Kiwis have fallen short in their first match under Michael Maguire, losing 36-18 to England in Denver.
New Zealand started positively, leading 12-0 inside the first 30 minutes, but the English roared to life, scoring 32 unanswered points.
Ryan Hall and Elliott Whitehead both scored before halftime to cut the Kiwis lead to just two points.
With both sides tiring in the dry heat, Wayne Bennett's England side put their foot on the gas in the second half.
Whitehead scored his second, debutants Jake Connor and Tommy Makinson both went over, before John Bateman completed a resounding victory.
For New Zealand, Esan Marsters, - one of seven debutants in the Kiwi side - impressed in his first match, making plenty of breaks and scoring a try in the process, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak dotted down twice.
But before all that, the big talking point was about how American singer Crystal Collins completely messed up the New Zealand anthem - both the Māori and English versions.
Maguire will now try to tempt many absent stars, including Warriors trio Shaun Johnson, Tohu Harris and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, back into the fold for the tour to England and France in October and November.
Newshub.
