England won a thrilling decisive Test at a wet and passionate Wigan to seal a 2-1 series win over the world's top-ranked team, New Zealand.


It ends a long wait for success, with Great Britain's 3-0 victory over the Kiwis in 2007 their last triumph against either New Zealand or world champions Australia.


England took an 8-0 lead with Gareth Widdop's penalty followed by a converted Elliott Whitehead try.


Jason Nightingale superbly touched down in the corner before the break and the match became increasingly tense after the restart.


The Kiwis, trailing 8-6, looked to be wrestling the ascendancy but NRL-bound Whitehead burst through to score.


And there was a huge cheer from the sold-out Wigan crowd when the video referee awarded a try after skipper Sean O'Loughlin touched down under the sticks late on.


Even then, the Kiwis kept coming as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Jordan Kahu scored to make it 20-14 and leave England desperately hanging on, desperate to close out the game, in the final minute.