Rugby League: Halfback's injury blow to Britain

LEEDS - Britain's chances of steam-rolling the Kiwis in their three-test tour have suffered an injury blow with fears that Super League grand-final match-winner Sean Long could miss the entire series.

The St Helens halfback will definitely miss the November 9 series opener at Blackburn's Ewood Park after x-rays revealed that he needs at least a month's rest to allow a fractured cheekbone to heal naturally.

Coach David Waite was pessimistic about Long's chances of recovering in time to play a significant role in the series to determine the world No 2 behind Australia.

This sets the scene for Bradford's Paul Deacon to assume the pivotal spot.

Deacon was man-of-the-match in the Super League grand final a week ago, although Long potted the title-clinching field goal for Saints in the last minute.

Waite admitted Long's demise "came out of the blue" when he announced a largely predictable 21-man squad in Leeds yesterday.

The Australian has given 12 players involved in July's 64-10 debacle against the Kangaroos the chance to redeem themselves - a decision welcomed by captain Andy Farrell.

"We put our hands up, it was an awful performance," he said. "The main focus since we've got back is to get back on to the park and we've got this chance to put it behind us."

Castleford halfback Danny Orr is the only new cap in the squad, although Waite will promote a member of the England A team to the test squad after they play the Kiwis in London on Thursday morning.

Long suffered the injury against Wigan a fortnight ago but battled on through the grand final. Tests last week showed he needed an immediate break, forcing him to withdraw from the champions' tour 38-26 loss to the Kiwis on Saturday.

"It's always a blow losing players who aspire to play test match football," said Waite.

Like Kiwis counterpart Gary Freeman, Waite has had to contend with a spate of injuries. Before Long's defection he had already lost fullbacks Kris Radlinski and Paul Wellens, outside backs Paul Johnson and David Hodgson, hooker/back rower Terry Newton, prop Paul King and second-rower Tim Jonkers.

He viewed the setbacks philosophically.

"It's the game we play. If you play test match football at the end of a long season you're never going to get the top 17 through. They [Kiwis] are not at full strength either."

Filling the fullback spot was the major headache and Waite would not indicate his preferred choice between rugby-bound veteran Gary Connolly, Hull's Richard Horne or Bradford utility Leon Pryce.

He did admit the Kiwis had superior preparation for the series.

The tourists have the benefit of four build-up matches, while Britain will be confined to training with members of the Rugby Football League academy after returning from a five-day camp in Spain.

Britain: Gary Connolly (Wigan), Richard Horne (Hull), Leon Pryce (Bradford), Karl Pratt (Leeds), Keith Senior (Leeds), Kevin Sinfield (Leeds), Danny Orr (Castleford), Paul Deacon (Bradford), Martin Gleeson (St Helens), Lee Gilmour (Bradford), Paul Sculthorpe (St Helens), Keiron Cunningham (St Helens), Terry O'Connor (Wigan), Paul Anderson (Bradford), Stuart Fielden (Bradford), Barrie McDermott (Leeds), Adrian Morley (Sydney Roosters), Jamie Peacock (Bradford), Chris Joynt (St Helens), Andy Farrell (captain, Wigan), Mike Forshaw (Bradford).

One to be added.

- NZPA