BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Waite: Test series is vital



By Paul Atherton BBC Sport Online

Great Britain coach David Waite says success in the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand is crucial to the future of the Lions.

International rugby league in Britain has come in for a lot of criticism in recent years due to a series of poor results.

I'm confident our squad is aware of the need for international rugby league to get back to where it should be

GB coach David Waite

July's 64-10 defeat to Australia in Sydney was the latest reverse for the Lions, who have not beaten New Zealand in a Test since 1993.

And Waite says a successful series against the Kiwis would go a long way to restoring the profile of the international game in Britain.

"It is essential for international rugby league in this country that we have great Test matches," Waite told BBC Sport Online.

Waite defends GB preparations

"When the football is great the crowd get behind us and that raises the profile of our game.

"It's 10 years now since we beat New Zealand in a Test series and 30 years since we beat Australia in one.

"That's a lot to overcome and makes it tough to change people's opinions of our game.

Great Britain captain Andy Farrell
Britain were humbled by Australia in July

"But I'm pretty confident that the squad we have picked is a focused squad and aware of the need for international rugby league to get back to where it should be - put on the calendar first and not second."

Waite says a proposed Tri-Nations series between Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain would further improve the game's profile.

He said: "Obviously the Tri-Nations will further help that aim. Tours, even short ones, are so important.

"A regular Tri-Nations series would keep the international players bubbling along and playing against each other.

Tri-Nations series primed for 2004

"It's important that really, really good players are challenged by other great players - and that's what Test matches do.

"These players want to pull on a shirt to play against the best players in the world and challenge themselves. That can only be a good thing for the game."


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