League: Kiwis on scoreboard as Lions leave run too late

Great Britain's Keith Senior tackles David Kidwell. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

Kiwis 18 Great Britain 14

New Zealand have kept their Tri-Nations rugby league title defence alive, holding off a belated Great Britain scoring spree to post a crucial 18-14 win at Jade Stadium tonight.

The Kiwis bounced back from consecutive losses to world champion Australia, and ended a two-match losing streak against the Lions with second half tries to Motu Tony and Iosia Soliola giving the home side enough breathing space before Paul Wellens and Gareth Ellis scored consolations tries in the final seven minutes.

Match hardened from two trans-Tasman clashes, the Kiwis' superior fitness and finishing ability told after the break as the Lions, inactive since drubbing New Zealand 46-14 in St Helens in June, were understandably lethargic and lacking in cohesion.

But the visitors will take considerable heart from their strong finish after St Helens fullback Wellens swooped on a Danny McGuire grubber and Ellis finished off a Leon Pryce break on the final hooter.

However, the Great Britain camp could suffer a setback later tonight with firebrand prop Adrian Morley set to make another trip to the judiciary.

Morley, who later inflamed the 17,000-strong crowd when he punched Brent Webb in the head, was placed on report just two minutes into his return from a seven-game ban when he levelled Kiwis skipper Ruben Wiki with a high stiff arm tackle.

Morley, whose six-year National Rugby League (NRL) career ended in disgrace when he was suspended for kneeing a Bulldogs opponent, flew out of the defensive line and poleaxed Wiki, igniting a brief melee before referee Paul Simpkins restored order.

Fortunately for Morley, Wiki was not seriously affected by the shuddering hit though the English firebrand was still placed on report on the advice of New Zealand touch judge Craig Pascoe.

Morley's hit was one of few first half highlights as both teams struggled with ball security despite perfect playing conditions.

Great Britain halfback Sean Long opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Kiwis five-eighth Jerome Ropati was penalised at a ruck, leaving the St Helens ace to slot a comfortable 30-metre attempt in front of the posts.

The contest remained in a holding pattern, with frequent turnovers preventing either side from building momentum, until some individual brilliance from Kiwis fullback Brent Webb.

The Australian-born custodian scored a scintillating 90m solo try in the 28th minute, beating three defenders after collecting a Martin Gleeson grubber kick as the Lions threatened down the right flank.

Webb skirted past Danny McGuire, outstripped Irish speedster Brian Carney and eluded Long's despairing dive before motoring away from Lions skipper Jamie Peacock to score under the posts.

Webb turned from hero to villain and back again, taking the second half restart over the deadball line before saving the Kiwis when he dislodged the ball as McGuire dived over the line five minutes after the break.

He managed the same feat when debutant Gareth Hock was closing in on the line in the 49th minute and had a role in both of the Kiwis' second half scores after Jones doubled round the fullback before utility Motu Tony crossed under the bar in the 54th minute.

Webb was also on the spot in the 66th minute, setting Soliola free after a Jones kick was charged down by Stuart Fielden and luckily rebounded to Frank Pritchard.

Peacock said the Lions had let themselves down by getting their Tri-Nations campaign off to a bad start and needed to knuckle down and "get on with it".

"We worked hard at the last minute to get back into the game but I'm very disappointed with the way we performed," Peacock said.

"We didn't complete many sets and build pressure really -- that's what test matches are about, building pressure and we fell short.

"Obviously it is going to be better for us having a game like this, it was intense enough."

The Kiwis, who head to Queenstown will be grateful for a fortnight's recuperation before their second match against Great Britain in Wellington after David Fa'alogo, Iosia Soliola and Simon Mannering all took knocks.

Wiki said it had been a tough match from the outset.

"It was the Poms' first game and we needed to lift from last week's effort.

"It was a good grind. The first 20 minutes was unbelievable and both sides felt it.

"I don't think the ball went out much and credit to the boys, they stood up and carried the ball up."

He was looking forward to the break in Queenstown before resuming the campaign.

Great Britain return across the Tasman to their Sydney base tomorrow to prepare for Saturday night's clash with the Kangaroos at Aussie Stadium.

New Zealand 18 (Brent Webb, Motu Tony, Iosia Soliola tries; Stacey Jones 3 goals)
Great Britain 14 (Paul Wellens, Gareth Ellis tries; Sean Long 2 goals; Danny McGuire goal).
HT: 6-2

- NZPA