Fielden still grieving over mother's death

The brother of Stuart Fielden has revealed the Great Britain prop had to be persuaded to take part in the Tri Nations rugby league tour following the recent death of their mother.

Jamie Fielden says the 27-year-old had to be told again that his mother had passed away by teammates after being concussed by a Willie Mason punch last weekend. Their mother Marylyn died of liver cancer a month ago just as Fielden was preparing to head Down Under.

Fielden has been much maligned after his quiet opening to the tournament, having arrived in Australia with the well earned reputation as arguably the world's best prop. It was thought a knee injury had hampered his Tri Nations start but Jamie Fielden says his brother is coming to terms with their mother's loss despite receiving the family's blessing to take part in the tour.

Great Britain takes on New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday night with victory assuring the Lions of a berth in the November 25 final.