League: Aggressive prop a risky proposition

Australia are bracing for an Adrian Morley onslaught, tipping the explosive Great Britain prop to return to his intimidating starting role in Sunday's Tri-Nations battle in Wigan.

Great Britain coach Brian Noble took several selection gambles against the impressive Kiwis at London's Loftus Rd last weekend, including starting the highly regarded Morley off the bench.

But with Great Britain's back against the wall following their embarrassing 26-42 loss to New Zealand in their Tri-Nations opener, Australia are expecting Morley to open proceedings with a bang.

"Morley is a feared defender and when he came into the game against the Kiwis his side was well down on the scoreboard," said rival prop Petero Civoniceva, who will have the task of taking some of the sting out of Morley's opening assault.

"We all know what Morley can do when he is fired up.

"After what happened last week I don't think they will leave him sitting on the bench this time."

Morley is a marked man and has a sorry judiciary record to contend with.

But Australia respect his hitting power in defence and fearless charges with the ball and would prefer to see him warming the bench during the opening exchanges.

The Kangaroos have vivid memories of Morley's sickening high shot on Australian vice-captain Robbie Kearns in the opening game of last year's Tri-Nations, which earned him one of the fastest send-offs in rugby league history after just 12 seconds of play.

Morley's National Rugby League Sydney Roosters team-mate Anthony Minichiello also predicted Morley will lead the assault on the Kangaroos, who are certain to overlook Nathan Hindmarsh for selection to give him an extra week to fully overcome his knee injury.

"Adrian is the kind of player who can put some fire into Great Britain's defence and we were all a bit surprised about him coming off the bench against the physical Kiwis, who got on top early up the middle and out wide," Minichiello said.

"If their coach puts him in the starting pack, he will respond, we know he will."

Morley has visited the NRL judiciary three times this season.

His latest sending-off, against the Bulldogs early in the year, alarmed Roosters' team-mate Luke Ricketson, who called on referees to give him a better deal and not act on his reputation.

The Kangaroos, who also have Willie Mason (shoulder) and Dragons prop Jason Ryles (thigh) in doubt, are expecting Great Britain to make several positional and personnel changes for the sell-out clash.

They're expecting Noble to reinstate former ace rugby stand-off Iestyn Harris, whose wife is expecting a baby, at five-eighth and shift first-game No 6 Kevin Sinfield to lock.

The Australians are also concerned Lions vice-captain Brian Carney will hit back from his worst performance in 10 tests after Noble retained him on the wing following his nightmare game against the Kiwis.

Carney this week accepted responsibility for letting Great Britain down with numerous handling and defensive errors.

Noble is banking on the Irish-born winger to repay the faith and show the form that earned him rave reviews during last year's Tri-Nations series.

The Newcastle-bound 29-year-old, who will link with the Gold Coast when it joins the NRL in 2007, has spent much of the week promising to redeem himself if given the chance by Noble.

"We've all been in situations before where we haven't had a good game," Carney said, "but you have an opportunity in this sport to put things right the next week."

- AAP