Raiders Forward Elliott Whitehead has heaped praise on his Club and international teammate Josh Hodgson after the Raiders and England Hooker turned in a strong performance for the Wall of White.

England Coach Wayne Bennett reserved special praise for Raiders Hooker Josh Hodgson after he helped set up St Helens Winger Tommy Makinson for his hat-trick and Whitehead continued to echo Bennett's post-match comments.

"I play with Josh week in week out. He's a quality player who is very smart at what he does with hard work and he's the most professional player I have ever played with."

England trailed New Zealand 14-6 with less than half an hour to go until St Helens Wing Tommy Makinson scored two tries to seal the Baskerville Shield. Whitehead also praised his fellow Golden Boot nominee.

"Tommy is a quality player, he scores tries and makes massive metres coming out of yardage for us and he deserved his hat-trick today," Whitehead said.

England now prepare to face the Kiwis at Elland Road in Leeds and Elliott is looking forward to playing in front of a boisterous Yorkshire crowd.

"To lift the trophy in front of a Yorkshire crowd will be really special for me so hopefully we can get a big crowd to turn out."

England face New Zealand in the final match of the Baskerville Shield series on Sunday 11th November at Elland Road, Leeds.