Rugby, Australian Football: Britain broken...Aussies 12 - GB 8

Australia snatched a dramatic victory with 33 seconds to spare to break Great Britain hearts once more and move through to the Gillette Tri-Nations final at Elland Road on November 27.

In a finish all-too familiar to British fans, the Kangaroos came from behind to secure a seventh straight win over the old enemy thanks to winger Luke Rooney's second try in the very last move of the match.

The final act of a tense Test match silenced a 38,572 crowd at the City of Manchester Stadium which had been preparing to celebrate if not a rare victory then at least an honourable draw.

In a nail-biting finale with the scores tied at 8-8, Britain missed three drop-goal attempts to break the deadlock and Brett Kimmorley failed with two for the Aussies.

Britain were caught wrong-footed as Kimmorley shaped to make a third attempt at a one-pointer but instead ran the ball and centre Willie Tonga gave Rooney just enough space to squeeze over for his fifth try in three games.

The heart-breaker was a vivid reminder of last year's Ashes Series in which Britain frittered away leads in all three Tests to suffer last-gasp defeats each time.

It was a cruel way for Brian Noble to start his rein as Great Britain coach for his side were in charge after long-range tries from threequarters Martin Gleeson and Brian Carney gave them an 8-0 lead.

It was also tough on Great Britain forwards Andy Farrell, Stuart Fielden - the man of the match - and Adrian Morley, who had helped lay the victory foundations with a massive forward effort.

Sportinglife