Brit, build-up for Aust, series

Press, 13 November 1985, Page 80

Brit, build-up for Aust, series

NZPA special correspondent Harrogate

The Great Britain rugby league coach, Mr Maurice Bamford, has already started preparing for the series against Australia in England next year. “We have dug the footings for a top Great Britain side and now we are just waiting

to pour the concrete,” said Mr Bamford, who is in the building trade. “Five weeks ago, we were at the bottom of the international ladder, and now we have drawn a series with a great international team. “If anyone had said we would do that five weeks ago, everyone would have laughed at him.”

Britain is now set for a great series with Australia when it tours here next year. The transition of the British side by Mr Bamford, from the bottom rung of the international ladder back to the top, has been remarkable.

“But we must try to find more players of infer-

national calibre, and we have 12 months to do it, and things are looking good,” said Britain’s manager, Mr Les Bettinson. Ten of the men Bamford used in the three-test series against the Kiwis have toured Australia and New Zealand with Great Britain last year and know what is required to topple Australia.