SAINTS prop and player of the year Luke Thompson added another notch to a big season last Saturday with a strong and energetic display against a physical Kiwi pack.

Thompson played more minutes than he had been expected to, with Sean O'Loughlin's game time cut short with injury.

But Thompson's robust, up-and-at-em style gave England's middle plenty of energy and variety. And that did not go unnoticed.

Thompson said: "It was a really tough game.

"They have got some big physical players in the middles especially.

"In the middle you always have to set a benchmark, it is where the game is won and lost.

"We knew they had a big pack with some real physical forwards and wanted to match them up early on and stick with. I think we did that and that took us a long way to winning.

"But it was a great feeling to get the win and I am made up with the result.

"I got plenty of minutes out there – Lockers came off with a calf injury so I had to do a few more but I enjoyed every minute of that."

Thompson is now set for a first trip to Liverpool's iconic stadium on Sunday ­— something he is relishing.

"Playing for my country is massive honour.

"I have never been to Anfield so it is going to be a great experience going.

"To play there is going to be class and I am really looking forward to it," Thompson said.