Steve McQueen would’ve been proud

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7th November 2003     Great Britain  18  v  Australia  22     Wigan

Adrian Morley had a reputation as the best forward in the world and he had played a big part for the Sydney Roosters in their drive to consecutive NRL Grand Finals. He was expected to continue in this vein for the GB Lions but to the home supporter’s dismay he was sent off by referee Steve Ganson after only twelve seconds of the first match at Wigan. The performance that followed from the twelve remaining GB players was top class. Phil Bailey and Trent Waterhouse scored tries for the Kangaroos and Brian Carney replied for the Lions to give them an 8-4 half time lead. A Keith Senior try and two Sean Long goals gave GB a 12-8 lead before a Craig Gower try and a brilliant conversion by Craig Fitzgibbon from the touchline put Australia ahead but another Brian Carney try put the twelve man Lions 18-14 in front with less than ten minutes to go. Australia escaped when Darren Lockyear created and scored the match winning try with help from Craig Wing and Fitzgibbon landed a last minute penalty. 

Two other close and exciting matches followed with The Lions surrendering a good lead in the Second Test at Hull to see Australia win 23-20. Inspired by their captain Darren Lockyear The Kangaroos scored twelve unanswered points in the last four minutes at Huddersfield to win 18-12. Despite the 3-0 series victory for the Kangaroos the thirteen point difference in the aggregate score line tells the true story


Darren Lockyear

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