British sent packing
Saturday, 18 November 2006 @ 11:08 PM
sportal.com.au

Australia will play New Zealand in the Tri-Nations final after defeating a competitive Great Britain side 33-10 in front of over 44,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

With New Zealand and Great Britain heading into this match on equal points, it was imperative the Lions mirrored their stunning result in Sydney a fortnight ago to book a spot in the final against the Kangaroos, but their chances of doing that were cruelled early as Australia raced to a 12-0 lead after just nine minutes.

The visitors settled down to trail by 4-18 at the break and gave the tournament favourites a real contest for the majority of the second-half, before a far more composed Australia sealed the match in the final 10 minutes with a Darren Lockyer field goal and two tries at the death.

It was an enthralling game of rugby league played in front of the biggest Test crowd seen in Australia since 1974 and the British can hold their heads high for proving worthy competitors following the drama surrounding departed playmaker Sean Long during the week.

Back-to-back penalties gave Australia perfect field position for the opening try of the match when Lockyer fired a grubber kick towards the posts for centre Justin Hodges to claim an easy four-pointer.

Halfback and man-of-the-match, Johnathan Thurston, added the extras from close-range to give his side a 6-0 lead after just five minutes.

The early Aussie rampage continued during the following set of six with the brilliant Lockyer producing a superb pass for centre Mark Gasnier to score near the right corner.

Thurston's sideline conversion handed the Kangaroos a 12-0 lead after nine minutes.

Great Britain regained its composure to score next when a Thurston strip on British second-rower Gareth Ellis traveled 20 metres forward then was toed through by classy five-eighth Danny McGuire for a try in the 29th minute.

McGuire's conversion attempt was a shocker leaving the score at 4-12.

Australia's response was swift and simple with Lockyer offloading in traffic near the line to O'Meley, who sent fullback Karmichael Hunt over for a converted try in the 32nd minute to give the home side a comfortable 18-4 half-time lead.

Great Britain could not have started the second-half in worse fashion with Paul Wellens' kick-off going out on full, allowing the Kangaroos good field position for Lockyer to stroll over in the 41st minute for a try and a 22-4 lead.

But like they did in the first-half, the Lions regrouped to stay in the contest and a 59th minute try by centre Keith Senior off a sensational Gareth Hock pass put the visitors back in the match at 10-22 down.

A Lockyer field goal sealed the match for Australia in the 71st minute, before Anthony Tupou and Brent Tate score late tries to complete the 23-point win.

Kangaroos 33
Tries: Hodges, Gasnier, Hunt, Lockyer, Tupou, Tate
Conversions: Thurston 4
Field Goals: Lockyer

Lions 10
Tries: McGuire, Senior
Conversions: Wellens