NZ-GB
stripped of Test status

A New Zealand-Great Britain rugby league match to be played in England in June has been stripped of Test status.

The New Zealand Rugby League has downgraded the game after facing what it describes as an "uphill battle" to pick its top players from the NRL. British coach Brian Noble is still expected to field his strongest side for the match, to be played at St Helens on June 27.

The nucleus of the New Zealand side will be drawn from British Super League clubs with halfback Stacey Jones expected to return from a broken arm. Parramatta five-eighth Jeremy Smith is one player from the southern hemisphere confirmed to play.