Jake and Tommy are up for their New challenge PEACOCK

JAKE CONNOR and Tommy Makinson will be aiming to make their mark on the biggest stage when they get their England debuts against New Zealand in Denver today.

Makinson (right) made the initial squad at the start of the year and it has been great to see the 26-year-old’s progression in making the final 19.

He’s been a big part of St Helens’ resurgence with his play on the right wing. And Connor (left) has developed into a wonderful player at Hull FC.

He is probably the most annoying man in Super League for opposition players, but the 23-year-old is also skilful and talented and deserves to be in. It has been an exciting week for them and the team here, and hopefully they have taken in the magnitude of representing their country in the No.1 sporting-man nation in the world, America.

The people in Denver are very professional and have a history of putting on major events in the city.

They have been advertising all over the local area and there is a real appetite for the game there.

One thing we are expecting is a muchimproved Kiwi side from the World Cup – they could not be much worse after getting knocked out by Fiji in the quarter-finals.

They are in a bit of transition right now, but they have a new coach in Michael Maguire. And even though realistically he will only have five or six days with the squad before the match, he will make an impact.

It should be a great contest.