Image source, BBC Sport

Anthems o'clock.

God Save The Queen followed by God Defend New Zealand.

And you know what's coming up next...

NZ full-back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, absolute baller, but sorry to say, he ain't no Brent Webb.

Here come the players, it's a long old walk from the dressing rooms to the pitch.

Watch highlights as New Zealand beat Great Britain 12-8 in Auckland - their second consecutive defeat at the start of their 2019 tour.

Robbie Hunter-Paul
Former New Zealand international on BBC Two

We know Great Britain's players can play better and play a much more open and attacking game. I expect New Zealand to come back harder this week also.

BBC Two

Great Britain coach Wayne Bennett on BBC Two: "We cannot win without effort, that is point number one. The effort has been good but the execution has got to get better and we have to take the opportunities.

"Our approach is much the same, the structure is there, but have the confidence and belief to stay in it long enough. Last time we had two chances in the last seven, eight mintues and could not take them.

"Jack Hughes and Blake Austin have accepted their positions, they have been wonderful in training, are out of position but are the best we have got. I am pleased at the way they have embraced it."

Image source, Getty Images

Jon Wilkin
Ex-Great Britain forward on BBC Two

The British side have put a huge amount of effort into the defence but it's with the ball that they've struggled.

They need to get going with the ball and today is the last opportunity before they get heavily scrutinised.

Wayne Bennett's squad selection for this tour was highly questionable.

Picked two wingers and one got injured, picked one specialist centre and he is out too.

I just don't get it.

The Lions need to start well today but if they don't, it could really unravel for them tonight.

Jonathan Davies
Former Great Britain international on BBC Two

They've competed and you can't fault their effort, but a lack of creativity and control from the half-backs - it's just been sadly lacking in every area, the kick has been poor and options of play have been poor.

Defensively they've been very good. The difference is New Zealand have got more X-factor players with individual brilliance rather than collective brilliance.

Dave Woods
BBC Rugby League correspondent

In a week in which all the talk has been about Sonny Bill Williams, it's easy to overlook the fact that Great Britain still have a Test match series to save.

Defeat a fortnight ago by Tonga has been put into context by their historic and emotional win over Australia a week later. And, but for a late and heroic try-saving tackle by Kenny Bromwich in Auckland, the Rugby League Lions may have been bouncing into Christchurch full of optimism.

Ifs and buts count for little when they come served with a loss. So this side needs a win to live up to the pre-tour optimism of the return of the GB brand.

They have that capability and the demand is certainly for greater entertainment than was served up in the first half of last week's mostly dour spectacle at Eden Park.

Read the full piece

Postpublished at 06:37 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2019

06:37 GMT 9 November 2019

Talk about kicking someone when they're down...

Former GB Lion Jonathan Davies says the current crop have been "lacking in every area".

He's not wrong though.

New Zealand make three changes to the starting line-up that beat Great Britain last weekend. Shaun Johnson is recalled at stand-off to replace the injured Kieran Foran. Brandon Smith, who was dropped shortly before kick-off last week, is also brought back in. The third change sees Corey Harawira-Naera start in place of Kenny Bromwich, who has returned to Melbourne to be with his heavily pregnant wife.

New Zealand XIII: Tuivasa-Sheck; Maumalo, Nicoll-Klokstad, Manu, Isaako; Johnson, Marshall (c); Tetevano, Smith, Waerea-Hargreaves, Nikora, Harawira-Naera, Tapine.

Interchanges: Nikorima, Proctor, Ah Mau, Blair.

Great Britain's injury crisis means Warrington forward Jack Hughes will make his international debut at centre, with club team-mate Blake Austin in an unfamiliar position on the wing. He replaces the injured Zak Hardaker...who had replaced Ryan Hall.

Great Britain XIII: Lomax; McGillvary, Hughes, Connor, Austin; Widdop, Hastings; Hill, Hodgson, Burgess, Bateman, Whitehead, Graham (c).

Interchanges: Jones, Clark, Walmsley, Thompson.

Image source, Getty Images

To start with this morning, here is a story of one of the great RL tours, when Great Britain travelled down under in 1946.

It involves a 23,000-ton aircraft carrier, thanks to the Australian government, an epic train journey and a team that went unbeaten despite all the adversity.

A brilliant read by Matt Newsum

BBC Two

Image source, Getty Images

It is make or break time for the Lions.

Wayne Bennett's side have suffered two defeats from two Tests so far on their tour and another loss today will mean game over.

Can they finally get a result on the board?

Coverage is under way now on BBC Two and at the top of this page.