SAINTS international Tommy Makinson has revealed the lengths he would go to in order to represent England.

The 27-year-old shone on the wing and while deputising for clubmate Jonny Lomax at full-back during the first Test win against New Zealand in Hull on Saturday.

An eventful display included Makinson setting up the Sam Tomkins try that delivered a ‘critical’ strong start against a Kiwis side that defeated world champions Australia a fortnight earlier.

“I’ll back myself wherever I play and I’ll run hard and tackle as hard as I can to do my best for the team and country,” said Makinson after his home debut at Test level.

“It’s something I’ve said to Wayne. I’ll do anything, if he sticks me at prop – I’ll get smashed - but I’ll even play there for that England badge which means the absolute world to me.”

That pride and passion was on full show in a performance that earned him the players’ player of the match accolade in only his second international appearance.

Head coach Wayne Bennett raved about Makinson’s ball-carrying prowess in particular.

"He was outstanding, I just couldn't believe what he did,” said the man who has won a record-breaking number of NRL titles in Australia.

“The more bodies they put in front of him, the harder he ran at them."

Makinson said he and his England teammates take a lot of confidence on to the field from working with the greatest coach the sport has seen.

And he felt that came to the fore in the late stages when the tourists were trying to batter the door down to find a winning score.

And it is a belief that can stand England in good stead when they aim to clinch the series at Anfield on Sunday.

“Courage and commitment to the badge got us through, something that Wayne talks about all the time,” said Makinson.

“He’s fantastic at giving us confidence. And for me personally he just fills me with confidence because of how good he is.

“We just remembered the words he kept telling us before the game, and how much the badge means to us.

“We recently visited the war memorials in Belgium. Stuff like that brings out what this country and this badge means, and to put that shirt on it’s emotional.

“When you’ve got that shirt on and you’re on the field and digging in with the rest of the lads around you it’s special.

“You don’t want to be the one who makes a mistake and every single man is thinking that and buys into it.”

Wakefield try machine Tom Johnstone caught the eye with a hat-trick on the left flank against France 10 days earlier but Bennett’s decision to give the shirt to Makinson in the crunch opening Test paid off.

“Tom Johnstone is a fantastic winger and in handing me the start Wayne showed confidence in me that I’ve had a good year,” said Makinson.

“I was buzzing about him starting me. He told me his reasons why and it fills you with confidence.

“I really get on with him. He has an aura around him but it means nothing to him – he’s a real nice fella and tough, but he fills you with confidence which is fantastic for any player.

"We spoke about getting the series off to a good start and it was a pretty special team performance in Hull.

"But we won't get ahead of ourselves. It's a three-match series and they will improve, as hopefully will we.

"I'm not really a Liverpool fan but Anfield is a special place. Liverpool is full of really passionate people and I'm sure they will buy into it and we can show everybody what international rugby league is all about."