WARRINGTON Wolves’ Chris Hill was at the heart of a lionhearted England defensive showing against New Zealand in the first half of the second Test at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

Hill led the way as the game’s top tackler with 25 efforts by the 28th-minute mark of an opening half that brought no tries but no shortage of key defensive plays, especially on the England goal-line.

England opened the scoring through the boot of Gareth Widdop after eight minutes, punishing Sam Moa for the penalty he conceded for holding on in a tackle.

Hill produced a crucial try-saving tackle on stand off Peta Hiku in the 11th minute as the Kiwis looked to respond, which they did soon after with an Issac Luke equalising penalty from close to the sticks.

The Wolves man was in the right place again to help George Williams prevent Jordan Kahu from burrowing over from close range after 19 minutes as the Kiwis applied pressure and benefited from the majority of the territory and possession.

Hill and front-row colleague James Graham took a well-earned breather after 24 minutes and Warringtonian Mike Cooper, with his right knee strapped up, joined Tom Burgess and Brett Ferres in taking over the mighty challenge up front.

After a penalty for Ryan Hall being held down, hole-punching drives by Cooper and Tom Burgess set up England’s first threatening attack of the second quarter but a Widdop kick was cleaned up by the Kiwis.

A short dabbed kick over the try line from dummy half by James Roby forced the Kiwis to drop out as England started to enjoy putting New Zealand under the cosh, but a forward pass from Widdop to Ferres saw the next set end fruitless.

The Kiwis turned the tide and it took a last-ditch tackle from Liam Farrell to prevent Kevin Proctor galloping over in the 37th minute, with former Latchford Albion junior Kallum Watkins alert to snuff out more danger on the next tackle.