Wayne Bennett has brought the England team closer, reveals Tommy Makinson

Tommy Makinson revealed that Wayne Bennett has built a special atmosphere and attitude within the England camp.

The Lions lost 34-0 to New Zealand in the final Test of the three-match series at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.

England lifted the Baskerville Shield though after winning the first two games in Hull and Liverpool.

Makinson, who won the 2018 Golden Boot award earlier this week, credited coach Bennett for building a special atmosphere within the England camp.

“Wayne has brought so much to us as a team,” Makinson said.

“It’s been a special series for the lads and as a team, we have bonded like we are best mates on and off the field.

“We knew the Kiwis were going to come for us and we just didn’t turn up but it was a great series and it means a lot to us to have won it.

“The Kiwis have been close to us in this series. There has only been a couple of points difference in the games we have played in the series but they showed their class and showed how good of an outfit they are. They were at their best and we weren’t.”

Great Britain will face New Zealand again next year, when the Lions will tour the southern hemisphere and also face Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.