New Zealand are starting to get their groove on. Their offloading game is starting to warm up, taking them 70m upfield over their latest set of six.

England wing Ryan Hall has a awkward grubber to deal with at the end of it and does well to make it back infield from his own in-goal area.

Chris Hill, thighs pumping, hand-off jabbing takes play up towards the Kiwi half as England make their way back from the shadow of their own posts.

Plenty of biff and bash, not much light and spark as yet.

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales fly-half on BBC Two

"International rugby is all about results. In the past England have created a lot of opportunities without having that cutting edge. But it looks now like that may have changed though. 

"And with the lack of experience in this New Zealand team, especially at half-back, England start as favourites for me."

James Graham ploughs up from first receiver, taking contact from Kevin Proctor, but making yards.

A good first set and it ends with a kick pumped up towards the Kiwi line. That is safely gathered by Jason Nightingale.

We are underway.

Image source, BBC Sport

What theatre. Pin-drop silence in the KC Stadium - the only sound is the hiss and slap of the Kiwis pre-match challenge.

James Graham raises an eyebrow. "Oh ay?"

 And the PA system blasts out Land of Hope and Glory before we kick off...

Just to mark your card on what's coming up after the game, Mark Chapman will be putting the questions to Brian Noble, Robbie Hunter-Paul and Jon Wilkin on the Red Button from 19:00 GMT.

Plus, former cross-code star Jonathan Davies will be giving his views about the future of Sam Burgess...

Send us your questions using #bbcrl, external on Twitter. You can also text on 81111 from UK mobiles.     

God Save the Queen is really not that long is it?

A quick blast from the hosts after the Kiwis' meandering little number. and it is haka time...

Get involved via #bbcrl , externalon Twitter, the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or 81111 on text from UK mobiles.

Image source, BBC Sport

New Zealand will get first hit on the anthems.

God defend New Zealand - these boys in black don't look like they would need much looking after.

Some of the little lads lined up in front of each New Zealand player cannot resist a sneaky wink as the camera pans along the Kiwi line during the national sing song.

Brian Noble
Former Great Britain coach on BBC Two

"The Kiwis have got a couple of injured players, and their team selection here has been made with an eye on developing the squad ahead of the 2017 World Cup. 

"But that doesn't matter. For me,  England just need to get over the line in a Test series."

The teams huddle up before heading for the tunnel.

Outside a capacity crowd are inching towards the edge of their KC perches.

An enormous George Cross flag is draped across the playing service, flanked by a choir, singing arias.

It feels like a seance as much as a stadium about to host a Test match... 

New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney, speaking to BBC Sport: "Injures are a big part of our game nowadays and there’s not a lot we can do about that. 

"But over the last few years we've built up a culture within the group that means everyone who pulls on the jumper has a responsibility and an expectation to live up to. The lads that do make their debuts today will do that."

Jon Wilkin
Former England international on BBC Two

"It's never about development for me, these kind of matches. When you are picked for your international team it should be the best side out there.

"This series is crucial for England to get some results against the number one team in the sport.

"We are unlucky second-placers far too often, but at some stage one of our national teams has got to win something – and this is a massive opportunity for England to do that. This series is huge for rugby league and for the whole country watching. Let’s get some pride." 

Image source, Getty Images

This New Zealand side is currently sat at the very top of the world rankings, external after putting away Australia 26-12 in the Anzac Test in Brisbane in May.

It was their first win in the fixture since 1998 and followed on from their success in the Four Nations twelve months ago.

A three-Test series against them will be key stepping stone to the 2017 World Cup for Steve McNamara's side.

Image source, Getty Images

England coach Steve McNamara, speaking to BBC Sport: "Every time you play for England you want to win, and of course we all want to win Test matches. We've got four to play,we've had one already which was negotiated successfully.

“We’ve been agonisingly short against New Zealand the last couple of years but the players want to put that right this year."

Image source, BBC Sport

Less is more.

The KC Stadium choreographers have killed the house lights to build the atmosphere out on the pitch.

Back indoors, under the dressing-rooms flourescent tubes, Steve McNamara is issuing the last of his instructions, stabbing his index finger in the air to underline his points.

Image source, Getty Images

One man to be pleased to be on tour rather than back down under will be Martin Taupau.

The powerful forward is in the midst of a farcical move between Wests Tigers and Manley Sea Eagles that became public after his proposed Sea Eagles contract was mistakenly emailed to a Canadian theatre critic.

James Kelly Nestruck - who duly broke the news on Twitter - has the same first initial and surname as Manley CEO Joe Kelly, suggesting a mistyped email address was to blame.