Kiwis delay naming team

New Zealand coach Brian McClennan has copied Brian Noble?s cat-and-mouse tactics by delaying naming his team announcement for Saturday?s Gillette Tri-Nations clash with Great Britain.

McClennan was due to unveil his line-up on Tuesday for the game at Loftus Road but will instead keep it under wraps until 24 hours before kick-off to avoid giving Britain an advantage.

While Noble and his assistant coaches Jon Sharp and Dave Lyon have had the advantage of watching the Kiwis in action over the last fortnight, McClennan concedes that is in the dark over the likely make-up of the Great Britain side.

But he is resisting the temptation to pick the brains of centre Shontayne Hape, who plays under Noble for newly-crowned engage Super League champions Bradford Bulls.

?They?ve watched us play two games so they can see what we?re about,? said McClennan.

?We haven?t seen them play. The only thing I?ve been able to do is keep an eye on Bradford to see what Noble likes to do and look at last year?s Tri-Nations.

?We?re not sure what their team is but, talking with the lads, we can guess 80% of their team. It?s just a matter of us coming up with what we think is going to work.

?I wouldn?t go asking Shontayne too many questions. It?s his club coach and I don?t think that?s right. We?re smart enough to know what?s going on.?

McClennan, who has Leeds second rower Ali Lauitiiti available, hinted that he may make some tactical changes from the side that lost 28-26 to the Kangaroos in Auckland.

The Kiwis will be without hooker or half-back Lance Hohaia, who is still recovering from an ankle injury sustained in their opening 38-28 win over Australia in Sydney, but centre Clinton Toopi has recovered from a knee injury.

?There might be some changes,? said McClennan. ?It?s horses for courses. Great Britain have a different style of football to Australia and we?ll be picking a side that we think will suit the game.?

Scrum-half Stacey Jones looks certain to win his 37th cap after coming out of retirement for the opening games down under, although McClennan revealed that he is a slight injury doubt.

?He?s a good chance, we don?t know for sure yet,? he said. ?We?ve got to talk to the French and he?s got a little bit of an injury, too.

?He wasn?t going to play at all two months ago, then we got one, then we got two and there?s a chance we might get three games from him.

?He?s enjoying himself. For him to be a part of the historic win we had in Sydney was fantastic. He?s a champion little bloke and a champion player.?

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Thanks to www.superleague.co.uk for this news.