The tour saw New Zealand play a three match series against and England for the Baskerville Shield.

New Zealand and England previously took part in a competitive event in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, New Zealand lost to Fiji in the quarter-finals, while England made the final, losing to Australia by a score of just 6-0.

New Zealand and England previously played against each other in a mid-season international on 23 June 2018 at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado.

A wider squad was named on 3 September 2018 consisting of the best New Zealand eligible players in the running to play in the upcoming tour.

[4] On 4 October, Corey Harawira-Naera withdrew from the touring 23-man squad due to a groin injury.