League: Elland Rd to host series final

The Elland Rd stadium in Leeds will host the final of the Tri-Nations series for a second successive year.

The triangular tournament between Great Britain, New Zealand and holder Australia will reach a climax on November 27. Last year's final drew a capacity crowd of 39,120.

Organisers turned to Elland Rd again after discovering that their first choice, the 48,500-capacity City of Manchester Stadium, was not available.

They have followed the pattern of last year's tournament, which proved to be a hit. A total of 163,195 fans watched the six games in England.

Britain will play in London for the first time in seven years when they take on the Kiwis in the opening match at Loftus Rd.

The other qualifying fixtures will be at Wigan's JJB Stadium, Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium and Hull's KC Stadium.

The tournament starts in Sydney on October 15, with Australia and New Zealand meeting in Auckland a week later.

The tournament will be staged in Australia and New Zealand next year.

2005 Tri-Series fixtures
(All dates and times NZ)

October 15: Australia v New Zealand, Telstra Stadium, Sydney, time TBC

October 22: New Zealand v Australia, Auckland, time TBC

October 30: Great Britain v New Zealand, Loftus Road, London, 7.15am

November 6: Great Britain v Australia, JJB Stadium, Wigan, 7.15am

November 13: Great Britain v New Zealand, Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield, 7.15am

November 20: Great Britain v Australia, KC Stadium, Hull, 7.15am

November 27: Final, Elland Road, Leeds, 7.15am


- AAP