BRITS COP IT ON THE CHIN.
written by Jon Tuxworth, photograph by Michaela O'Neill. Published with permission from Sunshine Coast Sunday. 9 November 2008.
DON'T be surprised if fullback Richie Whitehouse breaks out his 'bobby' helmet when Great Britain plays next in the Police Rugby League World Cup.
There's no doubt the Brits were expecting a bit of 'pommy bashing' against the Australians at Stockland Park yesterday, but Peter Butlertook that term literally when he planted a punch on Whitehouse early in the second half. Butler was proptly given his marching orders by the referee. British centre Daniel Adams, the third man into the scuffle, was told to cool his heels in the sin bin.
Seemingly unhurt, Whitehouse played out the rest of the game, won 32-18 by the Australians in a result that keeps their finals hopes alive.
"He's got a nice cut under his eye, but I think he's come through it unscathed," Great Britain five-eight and captain Steven Brown said.
"I think he's got six stitches, which is a bit painful.
"I'm glad its not me, I'm too good looking for that."
The Brits used their one-man advantage well in the final stages to generate hopes of a comeback, but a couple of costly errors put paid to those thoughts.
'There's a few points we could have imporved on and I'm sure we'll look at that in the video analysis and focus on those in the games to come," Brown said.
AUSTRALIAN POLICE 32
GREAT BRITAIN POLICE 18