League: Home advantage and winning form could tilt title Lion's way

1.00pm

HULL, England - Home advantage and three consecutive wins could be enough to tilt the Tri-Nations rugby league final towards Great Britain, according to New Zealand coach Daniel Anderson.

While the Kiwis head for home today, Great Britain and Australia will play off for the title before 39,000 fans at a sold-out Elland Road in Leeds next Saturday.

Anderson said little would separate the teams, but the Lions had factors in their favour.

"It depends on personnel and line-ups, and it will be pretty close," he said.

"But with a huge crowd behind them and winning form, and big players in big positions playing outstanding football, Great Britain will be hard to beat."

Anderson said playing at home was a key advantage, and he would like to see the Tri-Nations staged in Australia and New Zealand.

"I would love to play Great Britain twice at home," he said.

"Crowds are a big influence on momentum and attitude sometimes. The Australians have not beaten us at home for the last two years."

Great Britain finished the round robin at the top of the table, after two wins over the Kiwis and one over the Kangaroos in the past three weeks.

However, they will have history against them in what their most experienced player, skipper Andy Farrell, described as the biggest game of his 11-year international career.

Great Britain have not won consecutive matches against Australia since 1970, and not at home since 1959.

At least two of the Kiwis, Bradford's Robbie Paul and Shontayne Hape, will be hoping the Lions do triumph in the final.

Bradford skipper Paul, who rates the present British squad as the best in his 10 years in England, said the domestic game would get a huge boost if Great Britain captured the title.

"To be honest, it would be fantastic if they win the Tri-Nations because it would put the game in the Northern Hemisphere firmly on the map."

Hape believed Great Britain, under by his club coach, Brian Noble, had the goods to get past the world champions and title favourites.

"They've been the outstanding team of the tournament," he said.

"With Nobby there and all the boys playing really well, I think they can do it."

- NZPA