THERE was a bit of a groan in some quarters when the Aussies ducked out of the international programme to leave the 2015 autumn filled with a test series against New Zealand.
It is more than a bit insulting to the Kiwis, given their track record in recent tournaments, but I can see why – for many of us the Kangaroos are what we want to see.
But as Stephen Stills once sang: “If you can’t be with the one you love, honey, love the one you’re with.”
I think we should all make the most of having last year’s Four Nations winners in our midst.
The Kiwis may not have the same swagger as the Roos and the fixtures against them may not be as historic as the clashes for the Ashes but these matches have served up some blinders over the years.
There are plenty of people still cursing that last-minute Shaun Johnson try at Wembley which knocked England out of the 2013 World Cup.
That certainly was not a game lacking excitement or edge.
Having heard so many southern voices at Wembley there that day, I think we can safely assume that the second test at London’s Olympic Stadium will be similarly blessed with the sort of supporters who only dip their toe in for internationals. And that should be welcomed.
England left devastated after Shaun Johnson's last-gasp try gave the New Zealand Kiwis victory in the 2013 World Cup semi final at Wembley Picture by Mike Boden
But going back over the years there have been some real humdingers between England or Great Britain and the Kiwis.
When international rugby league was at its lowest point for many a year in this country in the early 80s, after the myth that British skill could compete with Australian fitness was blown away once and for all, it took a series against New Zealand to put the show back on the road.
If the up and coming three-parter gets anywhere near the 1985 Great Britain v New Zealand test series then light the fuse and sit back.
A 1980s Kiwi warrior, Kevin Tamati, who served Widnes Vikings, Warrington Wolves and Salford (as a coach) with distinction
There was so much to like about that knife-edge series – one that, helped by some top notch personnel, rekindled the hope in meaningful international rugby league that stayed around for a few subsequent decades.
Saints' Harry Pinner was at the helm, leading Maurice Bamford’s team from the front.
It started with another late defeat – Great Britain losing 24-22 in the first Test at Headingley despite a superb length of the field score started by Des Drummond and finished by Joe Lydon – admittedly from a Ellery Hanley pass that took a bit of benefit of the doubt leniency or myopia on behalf of the officials.
A young Garry Schofield stamped his name all over the second test at Central Park, scoring all four of Great Britain’s tries in the 25-8 victory that kept the series alive.
The deciding third test at Elland Road was as brutal an encounter ever witnessed in the modern era.
Put it this way, if the blood bin had been in operation, I reckon only Australian referee Barry ‘The Grasshopper’ Gomersall would have been left out there.
It was a full-blooded affair with Kurt Sorensen prominent among a fearsome Kiwi pack dishing out punishment for fun.
Kurt Sorensen, a fierce competitor for New Zealand
Andy Goodway was carried off on a stretcher, while hooker David Watkinson was led off from one scrum-turned-warzone looking a bloody mess.
That particular fracas resulted in a member of the Yorkshire constabulary intervening.
And there was still drama to come, with Lee Crooks kicking a difficult penalty goal to level the series.
If this series is half as good as that, sit back and enjoy!
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