League: Still plenty of roar to come from Lions

Frank Pritchard in action against the Lions at Jade Stadium on Saturday. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

The Kiwis rate Great Britain as a definite chance to beat Australia as the Tri-Nations series shifts back across the Tasman this week.

New Zealand supporters who have endured the heartache of watching Mark Gasnier and Greg Inglis run away with their hopes should now probably cheer for the Kangaroos.

The Kiwis are on the Tri-Nations board via their 18-14 win over the Lions in Christchurch on Saturday night, but it was far from a confidence-inspiring victory.

With Great Britain under-prepared and a rested Kiwi side building nicely despite two losses to Australia, Brian McClennan's men should have reached a peak at Jade Stadium.

Instead, they were left struggling out of base camp for much of the game, relying heavily on individual contributions - particularly from Brent Webb - and scrambling defence, with the old trooper Ruben Wiki in the lead rescue tank.

Webb's 90m first-half try settled the Kiwis and ultimately proved the match-turner.

The most likely way for the Kiwis to get into the final is for Australia to beat Great Britain twice, with McClennan's side triumphing at Wellington between those Sydney and Brisbane games.

So it is in the Kiwis' interests to put Australia on red, white and blue alert.

But respect for the Lions is more than just talk. Despite a lack of finishing finesse and weak spots in the backline, the British showed they are capable of rattling their old enemy, but more importantly are major win prospects in Wellington.

Webb was the most disconsolate of Kiwis after the last-gasp loss in Melbourne but more talkative after the Christchurch turnaround.

"It was a heartbreaking loss in Melbourne and it took a lot out of us. It took a lot for the boys to get back up for tonight. I was shattered, as was every other bloke in this squad. There are no words to explain a loss like that.

"But we're on track now, on the board, and some pressure is off our shoulders. The British are stacked with great players and they were tough - very physical. It did take them 70 minutes to score a try and they couldn't come through us - they did it with kicks. But any team which under-rates them will get a bite on the arse. They are very confrontational up front, very tough."

Of his brilliant try, Webb said: "You never think it's on at first ... I saw a bit of open space, pinned back the ears and prayed I'd make it."

McClennan believes travel plus tests against Australia led to Kiwi fatigue and a loss of technique, but took Webb's view of the Melbourne effect on board.

"Different players react differently, but if one is feeling like that, you know that two or three others will be the same."

McClennan believes the British are in for Tri-Nations travel lessons.

"Travel can gel teams and it can also split you. They're going to find a few things out about themselves. But if the Australians turn up cocky, they will get into trouble against them.

"If Australia play to their potential, though, Great Britain will have their hands full."

It was not a great test in Christchurch, despite the ball movement, explosive moments and a vocal crowd of 17,000.

Both sides lacked rhythm and timing, and often worked off poor momentum.

The standout was Webb, apart from one kickoff reception disaster and another that he only just rescued.

His 28th-minute try came when the off-colour Lions centre Martin Gleeson kicked in field. Webb pounced, stepped Danny McGuire, fended off Brian Carney, scooted past the diving Sean Long and cantered away, with British captain Jamie Peacock and Stacey Jones in attendance.

Webb was heavily involved throughout the match - scooping up kicks, as the second receiver outside Jones, and pulling off at least one try-saving tackle when he and Jason Cayless lunged to knock the ball from McGuire over the tryline.

After a Jones kick was blocked, Webb jinked and passed to set up Iosia Soliola for the 66th-minute try that all but sealed the game at 18-2.

The British won vital contests, though, especially out of dummy half. Terry Newton was backed up superbly by James Roby, making his debut, and wings Leon Pryce and Carney also ran strongly from acting half.

There are still chinks in the Kiwi control room. Standoff Jerome Ropati, with a licence to roam, struggled to find the game and produced a couple of errors, although he figured in the donkey work.

The Kiwis emerged relatively unscathed. Simon Mannering should be fit for Wellington despite injuring a knee. Soliola, who suffers exercise-induced headaches, should be cleared from a head knock.

Steve Matai and Dene Halatau (shoulders) are fit for the British re-match but the man the Kiwis missed most, utility Shontayne Hape (knee), is in some doubt.

The Kiwis are Greymouth-bound for Saturday's clash with the Residents.