League: Kiwis on brink of something special

Kevin Proctor says the Kiwis have prepared well for Monday's must-win test against England. Photo / Photosport

According to second rower Kevin Proctor, the good times aren't far away for this Kiwis side.

After last week's 18-16 defeat to England, the New Zealand team must win in Liverpool on Sunday (Monday morning NZT) to keep the series alive.

It's a tough ask, as Wayne Bennett's squad also gained confidence and belief from their hard-fought win in Hull, and many Kiwis teams have struggled to recover from such setbacks in England.

But Proctor believes they are on the verge of something special - and he should know. The 29-year-old was a mainstay of the Kiwis outfit that recorded three successive victories over the Kangaroos in 2014-15, and also lifted the Four Nations title, and says there is a similar vibe building among this group.

"This has been one of my most enjoyable camps I've been in, and I've been in a few," said Proctor. "The last time we had success was in 2014, when we won the Four Nations [and] this camp has kind of got the same feel to it."

Proctor credits new coach Michael Maguire with revitalising the Kiwis environment, after the disappointment of last year's miserable World Cup campaign.

"It's a breath of fresh air with Madge and all his coaching staff," said Proctor. "You want to try and do it for them because you know how much hard work they've put into this camp and how much they want success. You can tell how passionate he is about being successful in the New Zealand jumper."

Proctor's personal redemption started at Mt Smart three weeks ago, with a superb display in the 26-24 win over Australia, in his first game since the Canberra cocaine scandal and his World Cup ban.

Some felt that punishment was harsh but Proctor lived with the consequences before being encouraged back by Maguire this year.

The Waikato product tends to fly under the radar, in the presence of bigger names around him, but offers immense value. He has an incredible engine, demonstrated again with a non-stop effort at Mt Smart (despite a lack of match conditioning) and is an unrelenting defender and effective runner on the right edge.

Proctor is also used to English conditions, having been part of tours in 2013, 2015 and 2016. He's a senior voice in a young group and believes the Kiwis will exhibit their true potential at Anfield.

"We can take a lot of confidence out of last weekend's game," said Proctor. "We were in the game for most of the time and it was just crucial errors and ill discipline at times that might have cost us. This week's training has been really sharp."

Alongside Proctor in the scrum, Isaac Liu will look to continue a breakout year. He hasn't suddenly flashed on the scene - Liu made his Roosters debut in 2013 - but he established himself as a second rower of real quality this season, after years of alternating between interchange, lock and prop roles. He was a key performer in the grand final win over the Storm and backed it up in the transtasman test.

Like Proctor, the 27-year-old Liu is adamant the Kiwis are ready to respond this weekend.

"We didn't perform the way we wanted to, but our training and preparation has been pretty good [this week]," said Liu. "I'd say the connection has definitely improved with each other. Without that connection, you can't really do a team effort out on the field."