Bennett wants more internationals
LIVERPOOL: Wayne Bennett wants to see more elite international rugby league after England claimed a 20 lead in its threetest series with New Zealand.
After a twopoint victory in Hull last weekend, England retained the Baskerville Shield with an impressive 2014 victory in Liverpool yesterday.
The Kiwis were ahead 146 in the second half and looked in control, but Bennett’s men fought back with three tries to notch a thrilling win at Anfield.
After reaching the World Cup final last year and beating New Zealand three times in 2018, England is a side on the rise.
A Great Britain tour is scheduled for 2019, but no matches against the worldchampion Kangaroos are expected to take place. Bennett has called on the Rugby League International Federation, which meets this week in York, to push international rugby league to the forefront.
‘‘I just hope the international federation has a strong meeting and [stands] up for the game,’’ he said.
New Zealand started strongly and dominated the first half. England took an early 20 lead thanks to a Jake Connor penalty goal, but the Kiwis hit back through an opening try to Dallin WateneZelezniak.
New Zealand was camped on England’s tryline but could not find a way through some desperate defence. Then the hosts levelled when Tommy Makinson dived over right before halftime to level it at 66.
The Kiwis took the lead back four minutes into the second half when WateneZelezniak set up Ken Maumalo in the corner.
Shaun Johnson then added a penalty goal to give the visitors a 146 buffer. But England rallied late and Connor set up Makinson for his second with an audacious nolook pass.
Connor then tied the match up at 1414 when he barged over to score, before Makinson brought up his hattrick and sealed the victory with a fantastic solo try with six minutes on the clock.
The teams will meet at Elland Road on November 11 for the third test.
New Zealand coach Michael Maguire cut a frustrated figure after the match.
‘‘There’s a lot of hurt in the changing room,’’ he said.
‘‘The boys have had to learn some pretty harsh lessons over the last two games about what test football is all about.
‘‘We conceded a try before halftime again and in the second half made seven errors, whereas England were very clinical.
That’s the difference in testmatch footy.
‘‘England have been performing like that for quite some time. They have a very simple game plan: they complete high and they stay there for the 80 minutes. It’s something we need to pick up on.’’
A Australia fullback James Tedesco has been joined by England winger Tom Makinson on a fourman shortlist for the 2018 Golden Boot.
Makinson’s heroics against New Zealand in their win earned the St Helens player the nod, after he also scored in the first test last week.
He is up against Sydney Roosters star Tedesco, England teammate Elliott Whitehead and Kiwi skipper Dallin WateneZelezniak for the gong.
The award will be presented in Leeds on Wednesday (UK time). — AAP/PA