New Zealand captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has dismissed claims he was eye gouged by George Burgess during the 20-14 loss to England on Sunday.

Watene-Zelezniak required treatment from medical staff following the incident, where he also pushed off the ground in retaliation, but Burgess was not cited or penalised.

However, the Kiwis captain believes there was no malice intended.

"I felt a finger go in my eye but that's football," Watene-Zelezniak said post-match.

"I have no idea (if it was an eye-gouge), I'll have to watch it back. He's a big boy with some big fingers so his hand on my face probably covers it all.

"I'm sure he didn't do it on purpose. He and his brothers are good guys and have done some really good things in the game. I don't think that's in their kit bag."

Watene-Zelezniak was involved in both Kiwis tries, scoring one and setting up the other for Ken Maumalo, but believes the overall performance was less than satisfactory.

"I'm still trying to get my head around it, I hate losing," he said.

"Just the way we have lost the last two weeks, it's been frustrating. We know we can be better.

"Obviously we have lost the series but have another game next week to leave with something."