Mon, Nov 12, 2007 page19

• Great Britain come from behind to wrap up series

  WHITEWASH New Zealand put up a much better effort than in their second-Test humiliation, but the Great Britain side were not to be denied

  • AFP
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  Great Britain overturned an early 0-12 deficit to beat New Zealand 28-22 and complete a 3-0 Test series triumph over the Kiwis at the JJB Stadium on Saturday.

  Wigan's Sean O'Loughlin starred on his home ground as Britain produced three tries in an eight-minute spell just before half-time to turn the match around.

  "We have done well, we had to grind it out in a different way and show some real guts and determination," Britain's Australian coach Tony Smith said.

  "It shows we can handle these close games and come from behind. Those last 10 minutes before half-time showed how determined we were to get back in front," he said.

  The tourists at least salvaged their pride following their 44-0 second-Test humiliation and they had the satisfaction of watching 18-year-old Chase Stanley mark his Test debut with a brace of tries.

  But coach Gary Kemble's future looks to be in doubt after what was his side's fourth straight defeat -- another setback against France in Paris next Saturday could mean the end.

  The tourists had seized the initiative with two tries in the first 10 minutes that stunned the 21,235 crowd.

  Stand-off Ben Roberts, whose return to the side transformed New Zealand's attack, sent out a cut-out pass which enabled Leeds center Clinton Toopi to give Stanley the chance to open the scoring.

  Second rower Jeremy Smith added the touchline conversion to make a mockery of the Kiwis' chronic goalkicking problems and then combined with Roberts to get center Paul Whatuira over for a second try, to which he also added the goal.

  Stanley almost grabbed a second try but he was a hero-turned-villain just before the break when his handling error led to the try that put the home side in front for the first time.

  There was just enough time for O'Loughlin, Rob Burrow and Keith Senior to produce quick hands straight from the scrum that enabled Hodgson go over for a third try in eight minutes.

  St Helens prop James Graham had sparked the comeback when he forced his way over from close range with his first touch of the ball despite the attention of six defenders while Senior grabbed his 12th Test try thanks to a superb offload by O'Loughlin.

  Burrow was able to convert just one of the three tries as Britain led 14-12 at half-time but he made his mark within three minutes of the re-start, taking Graham's pass 20m out from the Kiwi line and weaving his way through a bemused defence for a trademark try.

  Burrow's second goal opened up an eight-point lead and, as the rain began to fall, so did New Zealand heads, especially when Britain added a fourth try courtesy of a clever example of enterprise.

  O'Loughlin launched a huge kick 20m from his own line for McGuire to chase and the Leeds half-back made the most of a kind bounce to hold off his pursuers to register the try of the match.
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