LUKE Thompson and Tommy Makinson stamped their names on the international rugby league scene in a gutsy England win against New Zealand in the first Test at Hull.

On only their second international appearances, the Saints boys – along with established England clubmate Jonny Lomax - were as influential as anyone in securing the 18-16 success.

Winger Makinson, who won the players’ player of the match accolade in an eventful home debut, set up the opening try, demonstrated his versatility with a switch to full-back for a spell and proved to be a constant menace to the Kiwis with his dynamic ball carries.

Lomax also played a part in the third-minute opening score by Sam Tomkins and got through some important work at the rear before and after a head-high tackle that resulted in him going off for a concussion assessment in the first half.

Thompson, just 10 days after his international debut against France, got more game time than he could have expected when he replaced injured skipper Sean O’Loughlin after 14 minutes and provided the kind of physical presence that wowed Saints fans throughout the League Leaders’ Shield winning campaign.

The 23-year-old both distributed and received some of the biggest hits in an often brutal encounter, with one monstrous clattering of Kiwi powerhouse Martin Taupau particularly memorable.

Head coach Wayne Bennett spoke of Thompson’s display softening the blow of losing his skipper to a recurring calf problem so early in the contest.

"Luke came on and did a great job for us," Bennett said.

"You miss your top players but when someone else comes out like he did and just carries on and was heavily involved in the game, it made Sean's loss much easier than it could have been.

"He's a very fit guy and can play long minutes for us."

Wigan centre Oliver Gildart took the headlines for a spectacular decisive try 14 minutes from time on his England debut, but the strong start was important too in tapering a rejuvenated Kiwi side intent on building on their defeat of world champions Australia a fortnight earlier.

Makinson’s ability under the high ball may be well regarded in Super League, but the tourists were caught out when he stole George Williams’ towering kick in the lead up to Lomax putting Tomkins over for the perfect England opening.

“Everyone’s a bit of a confidence player so if you get a good catch and a good run like that early doors it always sets you going and it got me going from then on,” said Makinson.

“It’s always good to get off to a good start, and especially against a top-quality side like New Zealand who have stars throughout the team.

“Getting off to a good start against them was critical but it was a tough battle all the way through.”

Like Lomax earlier in the game, Makinson also found himself a victim of a high tackle late on.

“They’re tough lads and this game’s not tiddlywinks,” he said.

“It’s tough, I caught one around the head and was seeing stars for three or four minutes and then managed to switch on for the last two.”

Although Makinson felt he had a ‘solid’ game, he preferred to focus on the team effort.

“We spoke a bit before the game about everyone having to play their part and everyone did that,” he said.

“To get that first win was pretty special but it’s a three-match series and I’m sure they’ll improve, and hopefully we will too.”