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Last Update: Thursday, November 11, 2004. 10:31am AEDT Harris likely to miss Tri-Nations clashIllness has again disrupted the preparation of the Great Britain rugby league team ahead of this weekend's Tri-Nations clash with Australia in Wigan. Bradford five-eighth Iestyn Harris is almost certain to miss the Test after coming down with the virus that has claimed a number of his team-mates since they went into camp three weeks ago. Rugged prop Stuart Fielden has also been affected, as has coach Brian Noble, but Fielden is expected to play. The man most likely to benefit from Harris's misfortune is Wigan utility Sean O'Loughlin, who is tipped to make his run-on debut. Ironically O'Loughlin was one of the first victims of the same virus earlier in the Tri-Nations when it prevented him from making his Test debut against Australia at the end of last month. He was then left out of the British squad which beat the Kiwis last weekend. O'Loughlin told Sky Sports in the UK it had been a difficult few weeks. "It's tough, especially missing the first game through illness then watching the second one when I could have been out there," he said. "It was tough but you're still cheering them on and hoping for the wins and last week they got the win, so hopefully if I do get in this week we can back that up with another win." Also in line for a Test debut is Matt Diskin, the 22-year-old Leeds hooker who was man of the match in the Super League grand final. He is tipped to replace Wigan hooker Terry Newton. Australia has also made a number of changes to its line-up. Jason Ryles and Craig Gower have been ruled out of the side which beat Great Britain 12-8 on October 31 while Darren Lockyer is still missing, resting his injured ribs. Mark O'Meley has come into a 19-man squad for Ryles while Scott Hill is set to replace Gower. The Australians have also welcomed Craig Fitzgibbon back from injury. Four players - O'Meley, Andrew Ryan, Matt Bowen and Shaun Timmins - appear locked in a battle for two places on the bench beside Willie Mason and Craig Wing. Great Britain can seal a place in the Tri-Nations final against Australia with victory at the JJB Stadium in Wigan this weekend. If Australia wins, Great Britain's match against New Zealand on November 21 (AEDT) will decide which of those two nations progresses to meet the Kangaroos in the final.
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