MATCH SUMMARY Great Britain: (0) 6 Tries: Morley Goals: Sinfield Australia: (8) 20 Tries: Cooper (2), Minichiello Goals: Fitzgibbon (4) All the action as it happened Photos from the JJB Stadium

An early interception try from Matt Cooper helped the Kangaroos to an 8-0 half-time lead in atrocious conditions at Wigan's JJB Stadium.

Britain fought back strongly after the break and a well-worked try from Adrian Morley gave them hope.

But Australia kept faith in their skills, and late scores from Anthony Minichiello and Cooper sealed the win.

Great Britain's second straight defeat leaves them trailing Australia and New Zealand by four points in the Tri-Nations table, and with a vastly inferior points difference.

To reach the 26 November final, Great Britain need to win both their remaining matches and make up the significant points difference deficit.

Their hopes of beating Australia took an early blow as the Kangaroos got the first points on the board.

Craig Fitzgibbon made no mistake with his penalty after the Lions were penalised for offside.

Shortly after, the Kangaroos came close to the first try of the game after a glorious handling move in which the ball was kept alive time and time again, despite the tricky conditions.

Danny Buderus sent up a hanging kick, but Brent Tate's tap back inside to Luke O'Donnell was correctly ruled forward.

With vice-captain Brian Carney doing his utmost to make up for his horror performance against New Zealand last week and Stuart Fielden getting through huge amounts of work, Britain gradually worked their way back into the match.

With Cunningham making inroads from dummy half, Britain forced their way deep into Australian territory and forced their first extra set.

Anthony Minichiello made an uncharacteristic error to allow the Lions more sustained pressure, but with a home score looking ever-more likely Australia suddenly broke free to stretch their lead.

Cunningham threw out a suicidal looped pass that Cooper had no difficulty in snapping up and the centre raced the length of the pitch to score under the posts. Fitzgibbon added the extras.

The try - much against the run of play - knocked the Lions' confidence, but again they dragged themselves back into contention.

Morley's strong display was rewarded with a try

A marvellous tackle from Morley on Tate saved a certain try and soon after Fielden came within inches of crossing.

Nevertheless, the Australia line held firm and the sides went into the break eight points apart.

A Paul Wellens knock-on straight from the kick-off gave Great Britain the worst possible start to the second half and the home side's defence was stretched to the limit.

But having kept the Kangaroos out, Britain roared back into the match after a mistake from Australia's Jason Ryles.

The substitute forward knocked on and from the resultant scrum Britain worked the ball left and a flat pass from Cunningham gave Morley all the space he needed to crash over.

Have Your Say Your reaction to Great Britain's defeat

With Sinfield kicking the conversion, Britain deservedly closed to within two points.

Despite the atrocious conditions, Australia continued to trust their instincts and worked two good try-scoring opportunities in quick succession.

First Gasnier, then O'Donnell knocked on to allow Britain to stay in the game.

Britain's kicking game was markedly better than against New Zealand, but it was a terrible kick from Paul Deacon that proved costly.

Willie Mason swooped on the ball and only a fine Leon Pryce tackle prevented another breakaway score. Even so, Australia had lifted the pressure.

Craig Fitzgibbon then missed a relatively straightforward penalty for Australia after Paul Johnson had been penalised.

But the hosts' reprieve was temporary as moments later Australia captain Darren Lockyer sent out a pass to Minichiello who made no mistake.

The try signalled the end of Great Britain's chances and some slick passing by the Australians sent Cooper over for his second try to pile on the misery for the Lions.

Great Britain: Wellens, Carney, Gleeson, Senior, Pryce, Harris, Deacon, Fielden, Cunningham, Morley, Johnson, Peacock (capt), Sinfield.
Subs: Higham, Thackray, Gilmour, Walker.

Australia: Minichiello, King, Gasnier, Cooper, Tate, Lockyer (capt), Prince, Price, Buderus, Civoniceva, O'Donnell, Fitzgibbon, Kennedy.
Subs: Barrett, Ryles, O'Meley, Mason.

Referee: Tim Mander (Australia).