By STEVE MASCORD
BITTERLY disappointed second-rower David Fairieigh has confronted Australian coach Bob Fulton over his omission from Saturday’s First Test against Great Britain at Wembley.
Fairleigh made his Test debut against France in July but finds himself out in the cold with David Furner and Dean Pay instead to make their first international appearances as forward reserves.
“I just went and saw him and said ‘why didn’t I get in the side?’ I was just up-front,” Fairleigh said.
“He just said it was probably the toughest side he’d ever had to pick in his life and he just basically said ‘there is no reason, it was just that close’.
“I can accept his decision but obviously it’s extremely disappointing. There’s two Tests to go and this just makes me more determined.”
The Rothmans Medallist has asked Fulton to be included in his starting side for the match against Sheffield next Wednesday after being used as a replacement in four matches so far.
“I’m the only bloke on tour who hasn’t started a game,“ he said.
“Obviously, you’re not going to do your chances any good if you don’t start. But the fact remains, there’s only one Test at Wembley and I’m not in it. That’s unfortunate.”
Fulton will tomorrow show his players video of British celebrations after their 19-12 First Test win at Wembley four years ago in a bid to ensure there is no complacency after five comfortable tour victories.
“There’s nothing worse than standing on the other side and watching the antics of winners,’ Fulton said.
“It’s a very sad scene, to be involved in a losing Test match.
“Ten of the players have played at Wembley so it’s not as if we’re going in cold like we were in 90. None of those players had ever played at Wembley before.”
Second-rower Paul Sironen caused a minor scare when he pulled out of a training session at Headingley today with back soreness.
“It was a bit stiff after training yesterday - I probably shouldn’t have done as much as I did.” he said. “But I’ll train this afternoon. It’ll be fine.”
Fulton this morning told halfbacks Ricky Stuart and Allan Langer which of them would be starting on Saturday. But no-one was saying anything to the media.
Britain’s Rugby Football League chief executive Maurice Lindsay today accused Fulton of insecurity over his refusal to reveal his halfback until hours before Saturday’s kick-off.
Yesterday, Fulton admitted he wanted to keep Lions coach Ellery Hanley guessing.
“If he wants to play cloak and dagger, we couldn’t care less,” Lindsay said. “That sort of stuff went out when Sean Connery retired [as James Bond] I think he’s making a mistake, mind you.
“I think you’ve got to be positive with your team, you shouldn’t be frightened to tell the opposition your team.
Fulton believes Hanley’s defensive preparations will be plunged into chaos if he doesn’t know which half he will be trying to contain.
Defensive patterns for Stuart and Langer are completely different, Fulton said.
“As I said before, we don’t care,” Lindsay said. “I’ll tell you what, we’ll let them each wear three and a half on their backs.
“We’ve had so much bad luck that who plays scrum-half for Australia hardly matters at all.”
More significant for the Lions is prop Andy Platt’s departure for Auckland, hooker Martin Dermott’s knee injury, utility Barrie Jon-Mather’s dislocated shoulder, second-rower Sonny Nickle’s suspension and centre Paul Newlove’s late withdrawal with a knee problem.
RFL referees co-ordinator Greg McCallum is to make an 11th-hour bid to have referee Graham Annesley allowed to wear a headset in the Test.
His Australian counterpart, Mick Stone, rejected the request last week. Stone said it would take the English touch judges too long to get used to the system, which involves talking into their flags.
But the linesmen - Tony Brom and Bill Blunden - tried out the technology with Annesley during Sunday’s Leeds-Sheffield game.
“They had no problems whatsoever - in fact Graham said it was clearer than at home,”
McCallum said. “I’m getting written reports from the touch judges and will probably fax it on to Australia.”
Lindsay said the tour would generate $2.5 million for the Australian Rugby League, with the RFL budgeting for $1 million in television rights and $4 million in gate receipts.