GARETH WIDDOP believes the continuity established under England coach Wayne Bennett will pay dividends, starting with today’s mid-season Test against New Zealand in Colorado.

The 29-year-old St George Illawarra captain has been a mainstay of the England team since he was chosen to make his debut — before he had played a first-grade game — by Steve McNamara in June 2010.

The Halifax-born stand-off was in the team that lost to Australia in the 2017 World Cup final in Brisbane and will win his 28th cap at Denver’s Mile High Stadium this afternoon.

Bennett has shown his loyalty since succeeding McNamara two and a half years ago and, even with two new faces, will field a team boasting 280 caps against a Kiwi side that will include seven newcomers.

“Since Wayne took over, it’s probably one of the closest groups I’ve ever been part of,” said Widdop, who was a member of Melbourne’s 2013 World Club Challenge-winning team.

“It feels like almost a club team. We enjoy each other’s company, which is great.”

Widdop, who missed last year’s mid-season Test against Samoa through injury, says the importance of today’s ground-breaking international in the United States cannot be over-stated ahead of the autumn Test series against New Zealand.

“We don’t have Origin so for us to get away with our country, these games are really important, otherwise we don’t get together until the end of the year,” he said.

Widdop was among the NRL-based players who mounted a successful campaign to persuade their clubs to drop their opposition to the Denver Test.

South Sydney prop Tom Burgess says the Test represents a glorious opportunity to spread rugby league ahead of the 2025 World Cup, due to be held in the United States, and has sensed the excitement building ahead of the game.

“It’s going to be awesome,” the former Bradford forward said. “I don’t think anyone has played at an NFL stadium before.

“Everyone else is having rep games this weekend so it’s only right we do, and to bring it out here to promote the game is awesome.

“It’s important for us to drive this. There’s definitely something over here for the game. Walking around Denver, everyone wants to know about the game.”

Hull utility back Jake Connor and St Helens threequarter Tommy Makinson are the new caps who have been rewarded for their outstanding form for their clubs this year.

Huddersfield winger Jermaine McGillvary, a star of the World Cup with seven tries in six appearances, admits that after an injury-hit season so far with his club, it is Bennett’s loyalty rather than current form that has enabled him to keep his place in the team.

“There’s only been one season in Super League where I’ve absolutely killed it and that was in 2015 when I played one game for England,” McGillvary said.

“Ever since then I wouldn’t say I’ve set Super League alight. 2016 was my worst season ever but I played in the four Nations and did well.

“And last year I wouldn’t say I was outstanding in Super League but I did well in the World Cup.

“Wayne knows what I’m capable of when I put the shirt on and I reckon that counted a lot, definitely not my form. He knows what I bring to the team.

“I’m grateful that he’s stuck by me, like he has in the past, and I don’t think I’ve ever let the team down.”