KEY POINTS:
Kiwi teams have tried it over the past 100 years but all have failed - a 3-0 whitewash of Great Britain at home has never been achieved.
Kiwis coach Gary Kemble has targeted a clean sweep against the Lions and a win over France as an acceptable outcome, especially after the 58-0 mauling by Australia last weekend. But history shows this is easier said than done.
The closest a Kiwis side came to a 3-0 win was in 1998 when Frank Endacott's team won the first two tests but were held to a 23-all draw in the final. They led by seven points with four minutes to play - only to concede a late converted try and an injury-time drop goal.
They were only the second side after the 1971 Kiwis to win a three-test series in Britain. Further highlighting how difficult Kemble's goal is, New Zealand have won only one of the last six games played in Britain.
Great Britain don't play in the World Cup, as the team is broken into Home Unions. But the British team is dominated by England internationals and they will want to inflict a psychological blow on the Kiwis 12 months out from the Cup.
Australian Tony Smith, brother of Newcastle coach Brian, has taken over from Brian Noble as coach after a highly successful stint as Leeds boss. In four years with the Rhinos, he delivered two UK Super League titles, including their first in 32 years (2004) and a World Club Challenge victory.
The squad, to be named after this morning's All Golds match which Smith has labelled the 'fourth test', is likely to be dominated by St Helens and Leeds players.
One of that side's most important players will be Leeds halfback Rob Burrows, picked by many to be Britain's version of Stacey Jones.
He will be ably backed up by Danny McGuire, James Roby, Leon Pryce and Adrian Morley.
One Kiwi who knows just how tough it will be against the Lions is Shontayne Hape, the only one of Kemble's squad in the UK Super League, although at least one more is likely to be added. Clinton Toopi or Tame Tupou are the most likely to be called up.
Hape has spent five seasons with Bradford and said it was wrong to view the Super League as inferior to the NRL.
"The Super League has never had the recognition [in Australia and New Zealand] it should," he said. "People always say the NRL is the toughest but in the years I've been here it's got tougher and this year was probably the hardest it's ever been.
"The Super League has dominated the World Club Challenge over the last five years. Australian clubs like to say it doesn't matter to them but that's a load of bollocks. I know clubs over the last couple of years, like Brisbane and Wests Tigers, have really tried to win it but failed.
"The Super League is growing and I don't think the players in the [Kiwis] team realise yet what they are up against until they see the All Golds game."
Modern British rugby league is built around a largely expansive game plan, as opposed to the NRL's preoccupation with completion rates and strong defence. The Super League has also become a lot closer because of the salary cap.
"It's a tough ask, [winning] three matches, but we have to set our standards high or we won't achieve success," Hape said.
