New Zealand gave Great Britain an almighty fright before going down 22-12 in a hard fought Tri-Nations contest in Huddersfield.
Tries from Ali Lauiti'iti and Sonny Bill Williams helped the Kiwis to a half-time lead of 12-2 before a great comeback from the home side.
Two quick tries from Stuart Reardon just after the break turned the tide and the Kiwis faded as the men in white took control.
The Kiwis started the match as the underdogs but proved in the early exchanges that they were in no mood to role over.
Both sides were tackling hard as the two rivals sized each other up.
Kiwi coach Daniel Anderson was anticipating a low scoring match and he looked right as it took until the 10th minute before there were any points on the board.
New Zealand skipper Ruben Wiki conceded a penalty in front of the posts and Andy Farrell grabbed his 51st career goal to put the home side into a 2-0 lead.
Three minutes later Keith Senior looked certain to score the first try after neat work from Farrell but a last ditch save from Vinnie Anderson denied Great Britain.
The pressure continued when Brian Carney raced down wide, but he was bundled into touch with the line in sight.
The home side were making all the best plays but good defensive work from the Kiwis prevented GB from adding to their points tally.
It was against the run of play that the Kiwis crossed for the first try of the game.
Williams set up Lauiti'iti who passed to Clinton Toopi. He combined with Shontayne Hape to release Lauiti'iti, who scored under the posts to give the men in black the lead. Brett Webb's goal kick put the visitors 6-2 up.
With the home side reeling, it was not long before the Kiwis grabbed their second try when Sonny Bill Williams powered over the line under pressure from two GB players for his first international try. Webb again made no mistake from his boot as the visitors opened up a 10-point lead.
The British players looked shocked at what was happening to them but despite more pressure, crucial errors and stoic Kiwi defending prevented Brian Noble's side from closing the gap.
A chorus of boos greeted the half-time hooter as GB went into the break 12-2 down.
The home side came out fighting after the interval and were helped when Louis Anderson gave away a silly penalty for interference in front of the posts. GB ran with the ball and were rewarded when Terry Newton crossed, much to the relief of the Huddersfield crowd. Paul Sculthorpe kicked the home side to within four points.
The men in white had their tails up and fantastic work from Sean Long, who bounced off three Kiwi defenders, set the ball up for Senior, who offloaded it to Reardon, and the 23-year-old crossed the line. Sculthorpe missed his kick and the sides were level.
And the misery continued for the Kiwis when just moments later Danny McGuire evaded the Kiwi defence and he set up Reardon for his second try in the space of two minutes to put GB in front. Sculthorpe missed from the boot yet again but the Kiwis were shell-shocked to be four points behind.
New Zealand managed to stem the tide and started to apply some pressure themselves. On 60 minutes only a great final tackle from Stuart Fielden prevented a Kiwi try.
Into the final 10 minutes, and the Kiwis' hopes of a famous victory appeared over when Nigel Vagana conceded a penalty and Farrell stepped up for a vital two-point kick.
Despite their best efforts New Zealand could not find a way past the GB defence and their cause was not helped by conceding penalties in vital areas.
Iestyn Harris grabbed two penalties late on to give the British side a comfortable win in the end.
Great Britain 22: Tries: Terry Newton, Stuart Reardon (2). Goals: Paul Sculthorpe, Andy Farrell (2), Iestyn Harris (2)
New Zealand 12: Tries: Ali Lauiti'iti, Sonny Bill
Williams. Goals: Brent Webb (2)
