GB v Australia

[Graham Las Darrington]

Well its a couple of hours to kick off time here in England.
The City of Manchester, new home of Manchester City FC, hosts the game.
Apart from the build up to the match, the other topic in the media has been the Oz opposition to the choice of referee.
All British fans will be hoping that the GB team at least give Australia a game, especially after losing 3-0 in the last test series. I expect fans of both teams will want a good game, memorable for excitement and skill, not sendings off (know what I mean, Mr A Morley)
BBC RL Web site:

Great Britain have the chance to gain revenge for last year's Ashes whitewash in their opening match of the Tri-Nations against Australia on Saturday.
The Lions lost the series 3-0 after squandering winning positions in all three Tests.

But under new coach Brian Noble, a revamped squad are optimistic of ending Australia's traditional dominance.

"There's an air of quiet confidence in the team. But we don't want to compete - we want to win it," said Noble.

Noble will not announce his final 17 until an hour before kick-off, although it is believed that the players already know the side with Danny McGuire and Sean O'Loughlin both set to make their international debuts.

Great Britain team news
The likes of Paul Sculthorpe, skipper Andy Farrell, Keith Senior and Adrian Morley - desperate to make up for his sending-off after 12 seconds of the first Test last year - are in some of the best form of their careers.

That's the right attitude, only time will tell if the GB players are up to it.

The weather here in Yorkshire is mild with late afternoon sun. If its the same the other side of the Pennines the pitch should be OK . Hold on tight then... here we go!

[Super Cronk]

*spoiler*























australia won 12-8

[Thunderstruck]

GB should've held on, they were much better. lucky for australia, no goals were made. would've been another tied game.

[Surandy]

Was it just me or did that ref suck big time? And the number of forward passes. I think from memory only one forward pass was called for the entire match.

Great game though, very fast, very enjoyable. Gower at 5/8th? What a great choice that was! NOT!!!!

[Fampa]

The ref was terrible. But he was consistently terrible and I don't think it benefited one team over the other.

Apparently he's a Bartercard Cup ref. His control of the ruck was appalling. The lying in the tackles, the markers not square, the offside defence. It was a shambles all night.

[Graham Las Darrington]

So another defeat...mmm. Its not enough being worthy and always losing.
In the 3-0 test series defeat GB got in positions to win every match but lost every one. On the surface its seems like more in the same vein.

There are a couple of positives as far as I can see though: There's good young British players coming through and getting into the team. I also rate Brian Noble as a coach. As well as picking a team, he has the ability to build team spirit. He has been successful at Bradford for all kinds of reasons, but one of them is that he can pick a losing team up and take them forward. He needs to do this now.

All the same the Aussies know how to win and had the initiative that meant they deserved to win.
So near yet so far GB!:roll:
That was GB's first proper match...it should stand them in good stead for the rest of the tournament.

[Rose Madder]

I thought it was a fairly even contest and the score showed that , who would have thought that it would have been a fault in Farrells goal kicking that made the difference in the end !!!!.Yes the referee was shocking but he was shocking for both sides so no disadvantages there for either team I enjoyed the game to a point , will be interesting to see who referees these two teams next time.
Looks like Brian Carney might not play in the next one but hopefully Radlinski may be fit , looks like Lockyer will play too , this will make a big difference!!

[Super Cronk]

i hope bellemy is kicking up a big stink about hill not getting in at 5/8 and gower at 5/8...how abd was timmins?.... things like these and the SOO selection that amkes me hate the aussie and nsw teams...

[Graham Las Darrington]

In the post match interviews on the highlights shown on BBC Grandstand who should pop up to give the Aussie view? Craig Bellamy of course. It would have been even better if there'd been a Storm player on the pitch playing!
Surely Hill should at least have been on the bench.
Here's the BBC profile for Scott:

Scott Hill
Melbourne, stand-off or loose forward, aged 27, 4 caps
A survivor from Australia's 2000 World Cup-winning team, Hill earned a recall to the international scene after guiding Melbourne into the finals series. Has a brilliant passing game.

They also interviewed Rooney ... great player who looked a bit like the Incredible Hulk's thinner, younger brother.
Surely he'll regret that tattoo!
Related?

[Fampa]

I would like to see the GB 7 Long and 8 Fielden have a crack at the NRL. They were awesome the other night.

[Graham Las Darrington]

Would you pick a prat to join your Tri Nations squad?
GB have...but hang on that's Karl Pratt of Bradford Bulls, previously of Leeds Rhinos and before that the world famous Featherstone Rovers.

He replaces Kris Radlinski of Wigan who has a worrying back injury that needs an operation.

He's good enough, and Brian Noble knows him well of course. Interesting that he was called up. He wasn't in the England or other home nation squads so he causes them no disruption by being withdrawn from them.
Karl Pratt going for the tryline back in 2002 against NZ