KEY POINTS:
Any Kangaroos loss would usually be greeted enthusiastically by their trans-Tasman rivals, but when Great Britain engineered a Tri-Nations boilover the atmosphere at the New Zealand team hotel was funereal.
Ashen-faced Kiwis trooped out of their team room after watching the Lions' stunning 23-12 upset of the world champions in Sydney, acutely aware the defence of their Tri-Nations crown is rapidly approaching the realms of mission impossible.
Great Britain's first win in Sydney since 1988, coupled with the Kiwis' victory over the British in Christchurch last week being rendered irrelevant by the Nathan Fien "grannygate", means the Lions are now favourites to meet Australia in the final on November 25.
After being docked two competition points by the Rugby League International Federation last week, the Kiwis were relying on Australia to beat Great Britain twice to smooth their increasingly difficult path to the final.
But the Kiwis must now beat the resurgent Lions emphatically in Wellington on Saturday night - eating as much as they can into a minus 28 points differential - before praying the Kangaroos do not drop consecutive tests for the first time since 1978 when they host the Lions in Brisbane on November 18.
The Kiwis also require the Kangaroos to win by enough to erase any positive points differential Great Britain carry over from Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
The error of selecting Australian-born hooker Fien continues to haunt the Kiwis - as do the final eight minutes of their second Tri-Nations outing in Melbourne, when they surrendered two converted tries to give the Kangaroos an unlikely 20-15 triumph.
Coach Brian McClennan addressed his team seconds after Great Britain completed their fine win.
"We're behind by 28 now, so it's up to us to play well next week," McClennan said.
"That was a shock result. We've had controversies, close games. It's up to us to keep the party going now."
While the negative points differential with Great Britain would undeniably prove a factor in the match in Wellington, McClennan said the first priority was to not panic and concentrate on winning.
"The philosophy is we need the two points [for a win].
"We've just got to get out there and play. If we can win by 10 or 12 points the rest is in the lap of the gods."
Although the Kiwis prevailed 18-14 in Christchurch on October 28 before their victory was rubbed out, the Lions finished that game with a 12-point burst and showcased immeasurable improvement on Saturday night to silence Australian critics.
- NZPA
