Rugby League: Kiwis draw on spirit of the absent Kearney

By CHRIS BARCLAY in LEEDS

Stephen Kearney has gone but he will not be forgotten when the Kiwis aim to stretch their unbeaten league record against Great Britain into double figures tomorrow.

The tourists will clinch the series 2-0 if they win the third test at Wigan, starting at 7.15am (NZ time).

A tearful Kearney left the Kiwis to fly home to be with his sick daughter in Melbourne three days ago, but New Zealand's most experienced test forward will still figure in his team-mates' thoughts before they run on to the field at JJB Stadium.

When training resumed yesterday, forward Monty Betham challenged the injury-depleted squad to show Kearney's fighting spirit against a resurgent British team, who sense their first victory over New Zealand since 1993.

Ironically, Kearney, then 21, was captain that day.

"It was pretty emotional," Betham said yesterday of Kearney's retreat.

"He came on to the bus and wished us all the best.

"He broke down and said he wasn't sure if he would be returning next year, but added that the Kiwis jersey was in capable hands. That touched a lot of the boys.

"I called the forwards in and told them we have to show a bit of that passion and desire that Steve gave in his talk. That's what we need to replicate."

Coach Gary Freeman put on a brave face, saying he was confident "there are guys ready to step up and take his place."

"Steve said there are guys capable of leaving a stamp of authority on the game, I don't have a drama with it."

Kearney left to be with his five-year-old daughter who has had health problems since birth.

"It's a family matter," Freeman said. "Steve made a conscious decision to go back to his family and we support him."

The 30-year-old is the eighth player from the original tour party of 26 to pull out. Freeman had his fingers crossed no one else would "trip over on the way to lunch" before naming his team today.

Kearney would have been within two games of Freeman's New Zealand record of 46 tests had he played at Wigan, and Betham conceded his experience would be sorely missed.

"He's a man who carries such mana," Betham said. "The boys really look up to him, and when you go on to the field with someone there of his presence you feel that much better."

The loss of Kearney continued a miserable week for the tourists who also lost centre Clinton Toopi with a broken hand. Robbie Paul, who gashed his leg during the second test last weekend, did not train yesterday and is unlikely to be passed fit.

"The boys are feeling the pressure for the first time on tour," Betham admitted. "We were disappointed last weekend. Now we're in a must-win situation and there's a lot of key personnel out."

News of Kearney's withdrawal surprised the Great Britain camp, who were swift to convey their best wishes.

"It's a sad set of circumstances and we wish him all the best," captain Andy Farrell said.

"He's a fierce competitor and he's been a great leader for them."

Coach David Waite added: "A man of that experience would be considered a great loss.

"He's certainly in the top half-dozen of their players and it's been a pleasure coaching against him."

Farrell, seeking just a sixth victory in a record 21 tests as captain, would not say the momentum of the series had switched to the Brits. That was despite the Kiwis' injury woes and the determination the home side displayed to claw back from a 10-0 deficit to draw 14-14 in Huddersfield.

"We're still playing against a world-class side who are desperate to win a test series," he said.

"It's a different game, we realise that. I'm sure New Zealand won't be happy with the way we've come back at them. We can talk all we want about what's going to happen, but it's all about pressure on the day."

Waite named second-rower Adrian Morley in an 18-man squad on Thursday, although he had not trained with the team since last week as he battled to get over a mystery virus.

In other changes, Barrie McDermott returns to the front row and second-rower Jamie Peacock returns to the bench.

If Morley is fit, prop Terry O'Connor will miss out on a test farewell at his home ground.

Great Britain: Gary Connolly, Leon Pryce, Martin Gleeson, Keith Senior, Lee Gilmour, Paul Sculthorpe, Paul Deacon, Stuart Fielden, James Lowes, Barrie McDermott, Adrian Morley, Andy Farrell (capt), Mike Forshaw. Interchange (one to be omitted): Danny Orr, Jamie Peacock, Paul Anderson, Richard Horne, Terry O'Connor.

- NZPA