GREAT Britain coach David Waite is hoping that his side have got a feel for Ewood Park.

His side trained at Blackburn Rovers ground on Thursday ahead of their opening clash with New Zealand in the three-match 'Don't Drink Drive' Test series and he felt it may have given them a slight edge.

The sides face each again at Huddersfield and Wigan on the following two Saturday's and Waite is looking to make he best of starts in the first rugby league international staged at Ewood for 95 years.

"It is an impressive venue and we are looking forward to playing there," said Waite.

"The pitch is fairly square, so there is width to work with.

"But more importantly it is a slick surface and that will mean that a good kicking game is crucial.

"If we can get that going it could be very important to the outcome."

The Kiwis decided to turn down the chance to train at Ewood, but Waite was not reading too much into his opposite number Gary Freeman's choice to retain his training camp in Leeds and not venture into East Lancashire before the game.

"I can't be sure that training here is actually an advantage," said Waite.

"At least we have had a look at the place and trained, but I think any advantage gained from that would be slight and the Kiwis will be up for the game whatever.

"All we can do is concentrate on having the right balance in our squad - which I think we have - and that we start the series with a strong performance."

The clash with New Zealand at tomorrow represents a golden opportunity for GB to mend shattered reputations, according to seasoned pack leader Barrie McDermott.

The barnstorming Leeds Rhinos front rower is one of 10 survivors from the team thrashed 64-10 by Australia in the ill-fated one-off Test in Sydney in July.

The Lions returned home with their tails firmly between their legs after that record 11-try mauling, but they are looking to make amends in the first match of the Test series.

"We took a big step backwards in our bid to become a force in international rugby again in July," admitted a fiercely patriotic McDermott.

"A lot of us took a bit of a dent in our reputations so we are looking forward to getting back on track. We just want a solid performance and we're looking for people to come and back us.

"Whether you are Leeds, Bradford, Wigan or St Helens fans it doesn't matter, we just want you to come and shout for us because we'll give you everything we've got."

Even Waite, who rarely dwells on the negatives, admits that July 12 will be a motivating factor when his side runs out at Ewood Park.

"Reference to Sydney has been fleeting but no-one who participated in it is going to forget about it," he said.