League: GB coach wants to clarify 'rules of engagement'

Battle lines are finally being drawn for tomorrow night's Tri-Nations clash in Christchurch.

There has been an air of suspended reality so far because Great Britain are based in Sydney - a case of out of sight, out of mind.

The Lions rolled out their coach Brian Noble and six players shortly after arriving in Christchurch last night.

Noble fired up proceedings saying he would seek a hearing with referee Paul Simpkins and the referees' coach, Australian Robert Finch.

Kiwi coach Brian McClennan, unhappy with certain events in Australia last week, has already called for pre-test protocols about meeting officials.

When told of Noble's intention last night, McClennan said: "If the opposition talks to the referee I want to be present."

Noble's particular concern involves the ruck area, which he believes Super League referee Ashley Klein did not control by the book in the Kiwi-Kangaroo tests. Noble also wants confirmation that the 10-metre rule will be adhered to.

"I'd like to speak to him and I've got Robert Finch's number so I'll give him a call as well," said Noble.

"The ruck area concerns me a little bit - there seems to be four, five and sometimes six people in there.

"That's unusual in our competition at home and I want to clear up the rules of engagement.

"It looks cumbersome and sometimes people should be out of there quicker than they are.

"That didn't happen at certain times in both tests and I need to ask why that's not happening."

The British played down the prospect of a fiery encounter, dismissing the significance of their violent warm-up match in Newcastle.

Captain and second rower Jamie Peacock said: "I think this will be a different game altogether.

"A few of the Newcastle boys wanted to have a shot at the Great Britain lads. That's why it flared up.

"If I was in their position I would have done the same. It was something they could go away and tell people they'd done."

Noble said: "It might have been another 14 years before they could bash a Pom on the football field so it was good fun for money."

England has hosted the last two Tri-Nations and Noble said there were positives in being the visitors this time.

"There are advantages being together all the time although obviously you have to have your boundaries and rules."


The Kiwis believe their training performance reached a decent level yesterday after struggling early in the week.

McClennan said the disruptive effect of regular travel was to blame for the scratchy runs.

To counter that, he even cancelled a training at QEII Park on Wednesday because it involved about 40 minutes in a bus, and used mats for ruck drills after a gym session.

New Zealand cricket legend Sir Richard Hadlee attended a team lunch yesterday and spoke to the players, although McClennan did not reveal his words.

"The players' eyes were like saucers," said McClennan.

Captain Ruben Wiki's eyes also lit up at the mention of controversial British prop Adrian Morley.

Wiki was looking forward to the duel, and said: "Moz lights the fires."

Peacock picked out Stacey Jones as the main Kiwis danger.

"The difference between his first and second game was massive," he said.

"You've got a strong pack - Kidwell does a lot of the hard work that other people don't want to do and Asotasi and Wiki are two great go-forward players."

Morley is coming back from his latest suspension of seven matches, but Peacock played down the chances of an over-emotional return for a player who was sent off just seven seconds into the 2003 Ashes series.

"He'll just want to enjoy playing again. It's a bit of a ball-ache training all the time and not being able to play."