The Great Britain Lions go into New Zealand Test bruised and beaten

The Lions and New Zealand both lost at the weekend. Who will respond better when they meet in Auckland on Saturday?By Gavin Willacy for No Helmets RequiredIt is not often British rugby league can be grateful to the England rugby union team, but Saturday morning was one such occasion. While the Great Britain Lions were suffering a shock 14-6 defeat to Tonga in New Zealand, England were putting in a perfect display to overcome the All Blacks en route to the Rugby World Cup final. It was a good time for the League Lions to bury a staid performance. Their task for this Saturday coming is to ensure that British league fans have breakfast with a satisfied smile, not a grimace.Five hours before England play South Africa in the other code’s showpiece, the Lions face the first of two Tests against New Zealand at Eden Park, the union and cricket citadel in Auckland. The match on Saturday morning is part of a triple-header that also features Australia v Tonga and Fiji v Samoa. The Lions will have to play better than they did last weekend, but there is some consolation: New Zealand were well beaten by a new-look Australia last Friday. Related: Great Britain slump against Tonga Invitational XIII after 12-year break Related: Inexperienced Australia dismantle New Zealand in rugby league Test Related: Ben Ryan on Rugby X: 'Five-a-side, indoors, no goal-kicking, no lineouts' Continue readingread full article

Source: TheGuardian

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