CHRIS Hill and Mike Cooper have both made their presence felt in a tight but thrilling opening half to the third Test decider at Wigan’s DW Stadium.

Warrington Wolves prop Hill earned a penalty, being mithered and held down by Adam Blair, for Gareth Widdop to boot England into a two-point lead from in front of the posts after five minutes.

An Issac Luke break left England in scramble mode and a follow-up penalty conceded on the last tackle allowed Jason Nightingale to attack his left corner twice but the covering defence was up to the job.

England created an overlap on the right but former Latchford Albion junior Kallum Watkins lost possession with debutant winger Jermaine McGillvary waiting to be set free.

Hill came to the rescue as his pressure tracking back forced Peta Hiku to knock on inches from the try line after Nightingale offloaded on the inside.

England were put under the cosh after a Hill offload failed to find hands deep inside their own half but the defence delivered and Elliott Whitehead’s crunching tackle caused the Kiwis to fumble.

James Roby and Mike Cooper arrived in the 20th minute , replacing Hill and Josh Hodgson, as England took the game back to the other end.

Watkins got round his marker Jordan Kahu but the inside ball looking for support was intercepted.

But England, prompted by Cooper and Tom Burgess, kept coming and a little grubber from Matty Smith was picked up by Elliott for a clear short run to the line. Widdop’s extras made it 8-0 after 26 minutes.

Zak Hardaker got across to bundle the dangerous Nightingale over the touchline as the Kiwis created space down the left in search of a response.

But five minutes later Hardaker could not stop Nightingale flying through the air by the corner flag to reward adventurous Kiwis play from the halfway line on the last tackle. Luke’s touchline conversion cut the gap to two points.