League: Aussies send Lions packing, lift Kiwi spirits

LEEDS, England - Australia may have done New Zealand no favours in the voting for hosting rights at the 2011 rugby World Cup in Dublin this week, but their rugby league team certainly made the Kiwis smile this morning.

The Kiwis knew an Australian win over Great Britain in the final rugby league tri-series game at Elland Rd this morning would be sufficient to assure New Zealand of a place in next week's final.

And Australia came to the party, burying the hosts 26-14 in front of a sell-out crowd at KC Stadium, when Great Britain couldn't sustain the high level of play they produced against the Kiwis last weekend.

Therefore, Australia will return to Elland Road next weekend to defend its Tri Nations title against a mightily relieved New Zealand.

On Thursday morning (NZ time), Australia stunned its trans-tasman neighbours by being one of the countries who voted against New Zealand's bid to host the 2011 rugby World Cup.

Today, however, the Aussies are back in New Zealanders' good books.

The Kangaroos survived an opening 20 minute battering from the Lions, roared on by a packed crowd of just over 25,000 who were hoping to finally see their side repay years of suffering by eliminating Australia from the series.

Australia were forced to play the last 10 minutes of each half with just 12 men after five-eighth and birthday boy Trent Barrett was twice sin-binned by English referee Steve Ganson.

Barrett's tackle on Iestyn Harris, who looked set to grab the ball and score in the 70th minute, could have resulted in a penalty try.

Great Britain half Richard Hore finished off a great move to score in the 74th minute but it was all too little too late.

It wasn't one of Australia's finest wins by a long shot.

But it was achieved on plenty of heart and courage with Great Britain giving themselves a real chance of ending the Kangaroos' proud 27-year record of not losing a series to any country.

A try right on half-time to replacement prop Mark O'Meley and a runaway four pointer soon after by winger Brent Tate, who hugged the right-hand touchline for 85 metres, blew the game open.

And when twinkled-toed centre Mark Gasnier stepped through three Lions defenders in the 61st minute to score wide out, the Test was as good as over.

Australia was reduced to 12 men after Barrett was banished to the bin following a harmless spat with replacement forward Kevin Fielding.

If that wasn't bad enough the Kangaroos were left gobsmacked when video referee Dave Campbell disallowed what looked a routine try to second-rower Craig Fitzgibbon with the score at 8-all.

Campbell could only have ruled Fitzgibbon lost control of the ball in the 36th minute as he rolled over the line and tried to ground it with one hand.

Right on the stroke of half-time the tourists got the try they were denied.

O'Meley displayed the jumping and handling skills of Michael Jordan rather than of a beefy front-rower to juggle Anthony Minichiello's over-the-head prayer.

The converted try gave Australia a vital 14-8 half-time lead.

Both sides looked exceptionally nervous in the opening minutes.

Great Britain's fired up hooker Keiron Cunningham smashed Australian prop Petero Civoniceva before second-rower Ben Kennedy was crunched in another massive tackle.

Later in the half Adrian Morley put a big shot on Australian second-rower Luke O'Donnell just moments before Barrett was yellow carded and waved to the sin bin by Ganson.

- AAP, HERALD ONLINE STAFF