KEY POINTS:
New Great Britain coach Tony Smith has it all over his Kiwis' rival Gary Kemble in terms of the experience he has called on for the test series which starts in Huddersfield on Sunday.
While Smith has a core of veterans around which to mould the five new
caps in his 25-man squad, the Kiwis yesterday lost their only long-server, David Kidwell, who flew home to be with his terminally ill mother.
Centre Clinton Toopi was called up from the All Golds team that beat a Northern Union selection on Sunday, as was wing Tame Tupou.
The Lions were awaiting the outcome of a judiciary hearing overnight where prop Adrian Morley and centre Kirk Yeaman faced high tackle charges following the All Golds game. Yeaman must also clear an ankle injury sustained in that match and Northern Union five-eighth Danny McGuire, who is also in the test squad, is carrying a long-term wrist injury.
Morley, 30, has 27 tests behind him and hooker Terry Newton, 27, has 14 and both will provide leadership in the pack. In the backs, five-eighth Jamie Peacock, 29, has played 23 tests, Leon Pryce, 25, 26.
Smith can also call on Martin Gleeson and Paul Wellens, both 27 and with 17 tests each while Keith Senior, 30, is the senior statesman with 30 tests.
By comparison, the Kiwis have captain Roy Asotasi, 25, and 18 tests, as the only "old head" in the pack. Centre and vice-captain Paul Whatuira, 26, (12) is the backs leader and Toopi, 27, (19) adds depth.
Of the others, only Louis Anderson, with 13, Shontayne Hape, 12 and Frank Pritchard, 11, have reached double figures.
Kemble has no other veteran help available as the retirements of former captain Ruben Wiki, halfback Stacey Jones and centre Nigel Vagana, with the loss of Kidwell, really bite. Vagana and another of the All Golds, Ali Lauitiiti, with another former Kiwi, David Solomona, are committed to what will be a very strong Samoa team for the 2008 World Cup.
The Samoan-born St Helens bench forward Maurie Fa'asavalu is one of the five new players in Smith's squad. The 27-year-old played for Samoa in the 2003 Rugby World Cup but qualifies for the Lions via residency after four years at Saints.
The others are Saints' 18-year-old Sam Burgess, the Super League young player of the year, and 23-year-old full-back Michael Platt, Warrington hooker Jon Clarke and Leeds second-rower Jamie Jones-Buchanan.
All 25 come from the top seven Super League clubs, with champions Leeds Rhinos and runners-up St Helens each providing seven.
*TEST SQUADS
Great Britain:
Sam Burgess, Rob Burrow, Jon Clarke, Gareth Ellis, Marie Fa'asavalu, Ade Gardner, Martin Gleeson, James Graham, David Hodgson, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Danny McGuire, Adrian Morley, Terry Newton, Sean O' Loughlin, Jamie Peacock, Michael Platt, Leon Pryce, Gareth Raynor, James Roby, Keith Senior, Kevin Sinfield, Paul Wellens, Stephen Wild, Jon Wilkin, Kirk Yeaman.
* New Zealand:
Louis Anderson, Roy Asotasi (c), Greg Eastwood, David Faiumu, Dene Halatau, Shontayne Hape, Lance Hohaia, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Epalahame Lauaki, Thomas Leuluai, Jeff Lima, Simon Mannering, Fuifui Moimoi, Sam Perrett, Frank Pritchard, Sam Rapira, Ben Roberts, Jeremy Smith (Souths), Jeremy Smith (Storm), Chase Stanley, Clinton Toopi, Taniela Tuiaki, Tame Tupou, Paul Whatuira.