Referee Harrigan raises hackles in British camp

Bill Harrigan, the Australian referee, has come under fire days before taking charge of the second Test between Great Britain and the Kangaroos. He has been quoted in the press as saying that Great Britain were offside at every kick-off in their first Test victory at Huddersfield – refereed by the Englishman Bob Connolly – and that he will impose a bigger gap between the sides on Saturday. The British camp fear that Harrigan, rated the world's No 1 referee, could be put under pressure from Australia to give the Kangaroos an edge.

"We're a little concerned that he should go to press both the way he's going to referee the game,'' said Great Britain's assistant coach, Brian Noble. "It's a bit of a worry when he seems to be going in with preconceived ideas. I hope the British crowd puts Mr Harrigan under scrutiny, because all we want is a fair crack.''

Great Britain have had their problems with Harrigan in the past, notably in the 1998 series against New Zealand, while Noble's Bradford Bulls have unpleasant memories of the World Club Championship in 1997 when he sent three of their players to the sin bin at Penrith.

"I've no problems with Bill Harrigan," Noble said. "I think he's a superb referee, but if you have neutral referees for all three Tests it would take all this out of the equation."

This argument could be a rehearsal for next week when the Rugby League and the ARL discuss whether Connolly, Harrigan or a third referee, should take charge of the third Test.

Australia added the Brisbane second-rower, Brad Meyers, to their squad for the Reebok Stadium and he will play even if Jason Stevens succeeds in his appeal against a one-match ban for stamping.

"He'll be in the 17 regardless,'' said the Australian coach, Chris Anderson. "He's earned the right to be there. He's trained really well and his attitude has been great.'' Meyers is likely to start on the bench, with either Petero Civoniceva or Michael Vella the men in danger if Stevens has his suspension overturned.

The Great Britain coach, David Waite, will name his team today after hearing whether the Wigan hooker, Terry Newton, will be available after a specialist's examination on his arm.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD (v Great Britain, JJB Stadium, Saturday, 7.0): Lockyer (Brisbane) Tuqiri (Brisbane) Gidley (Newcastle), Lyon (Parramatta), MacDougall (Newcastle), Barrett (St George-Illawarra), Johns (Newcastle), Meyers (Brisbane), Buderus (Newcastle), Kearns (Melbourne), Carlaw (Brisbane), Kennedy (Newcastle), Fittler (Sydney City, capt), Civoniceva (Brisbane), Vella (Parramatta), Anasta (Canterbury), Ryles (St George-Illawarra), Stevens (Cronulla).