Britain drop Pratt for second Test

Karl Pratt is one of three players to pay the price for Great Britain's defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the first Test by being dropped for the rematch at Huddersfield tomorrow.

Leeds' transfer-listed winger, at fault for four tries at Blackburn last weekend, has been omitted from David Waite's 18-man squad for the second Test in the series, along with the forwards, Barrie McDermott and Chris Joynt.

In come Paul Sculthorpe, who is bracketed with Richard Horne, Terry O'Connor and, for his first cap, the Castleford stand-off, Danny Orr, as well as James Lowes who replaces the injured Keiron Cunningham. Sculthorpe will have a fitness test on his thigh tomorrow morning and, if he is passed fit, Horne will be the man left out.

Waite passed off the changes as mere tactical adjustments, although Pratt's weakness under the Kiwis' kicks and performances well short of their best from McDermott and Joynt will have influenced his selection. "We fielded our best 17 players for the first Test, but, having seen the game and having had the chance to review it, we feel that this 18 can do the job," he said.

Waite said that he was sure Pratt would bounce back. "We don't have the luxury of saying 'Get straight back on the horse,' but he's very keen to play again and could be in the decider next week," he added.

Waite did not reveal who will take Pratt's place on the left wing, although the choice appears to be between Keith Senior and Lee Gilmour, both centres who have some experience of playing on the flanks.

New Zealand have delayed naming their team, with David Solomona's rib injury now their main concern.

Relegated Salford have signed the Halifax and former Wigan scrum-half, Gavin Clinch, on a one-year contract to lead their attempt to regain their Super League status.The Australian was one of the players Halifax had hoped to retain, despite their financial problems. They are also set to lose their full-back, Jason Flowers, to Salford. Two players who appeared for Salford last season have found new clubs, with Darren Shaw signing for Oldham and Gary Broadbent going to Whitehaven.

* The National League One side Featherstone Rovers have gone into administration after admitting they owe the Inland Revenue £97,000. "We will come out of this financially stronger," the Rovers chairman, Glyn Robinson, said.

GREAT BRITAIN SQUAD (Second Test v New Zealand, Huddersfield, tomorrow): Backs: Connolly (Wigan), Deacon (Bradford), Gilmour (Bradford), Gleeson (St Helens), Horne (Hull), Orr (Castleford), Pryce (Bradford), Senior (Leeds), Sinfield (Leeds). Forwards: Anderson (Bradford), Farrell (Wigan, capt), Forshaw (Bradford), Fielden (Bradford), Lowes (Bradford), Morley (Sydney), O'Connor (Wigan), Peacock (Bradford), Sculthorpe (St Helens).