Peacock desperate to turn tide

The Lions haven't managed to win one outright for 14 years and the giant Leeds Rhinos forward has been a top-flight international for seven.

Peacock, for whom being voted the best forward in the world was scant consolation when Great Britain failed again last year to reach the Tri-Nations final, is desperate to lead the Lions to victory in the three-match Gillette Fusion series against New Zealand, which starts at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium tonight.

"I have got a good feeling at the moment after helping Leeds to win the Grand Final," said the 29-year-old, who wins his 24th cap.

"Now I want to finish the year off with an even better feeling by winning a Test series with Great Britain. I am sick and tired of spending December and January moping around waiting for a new season to start coming off the back of another defeat.

"I just want to win something with Great Britain and we must have a good chance in this series because New Zealand are changing the guard.

"Some of their legends have retired, like Stacey Jones and Ruben Wiki. They have a new coach in Gary Kemble and new players — and they have just lost 58-0 at home to Australia. That would sting anybody's pride."

Great Britain have changed the guard, too. Australian Tony Smith, who guided Leeds and Peacock to Grand Final glory against St Helens a fortnight ago, is now fully committed to the international set-up as fulltime coach and is already planning for next year's World Cup Down Under.

Smith gives debuts tonight to 18-year-old Bradford prop Sam Burgess and, more controversially, to former Samoa rugby union World Cup prop Maurie Fa'asavalu, of St Helens. Peacock has no axe to grind over either choice.

He said: "I remember how outstanding Sam was when he was a 15 at Bradford. I am really looking forward to playing alongside him.

"The same goes for Maurie. He is a real handful, one of the hardest blokes to stop in Super League. I don't have a problem with him making himself available to play for Great Britain."

Fa'asavalu, 27, who qualifies through residency, said: "I got married in England, my son was born here, and I have played all my rugby league in this country, so I feel I have the right to represent Great Britain."

GREAT BRITAIN: Wellens; Gardner, Gleeson, Senior, Raynor; Pryce, Burrow; Morley, Newton, Burgess, Peacock (capt), Ellis, Sinfield. Substitutes: Fa'asavalu, Roby, Graham, O' Loughlin.

NEW ZEALAND: Perrett ; Tupou , Hape, Whatuira, Tuiaki; Hohaia , Leuluai; Asotasi (capt), Halatau Moimoi, Mannering, Pritchard , Smith. Substitutes: Eastwood , Anderson, Rapira, Lauaki.

Referee: Tony Archer (Australia).