ENGLAND might be world champions in the 15-a-side game, but as for the best rugby team on earth, the smart money would arguably be on Australia. No, not the Wallabies, but the Kangaroos, the kings of rugby league.

Their ability to win even the games they shouldn't was perfectly illustrated in Saturday's third 'Think! Road Safety' Test at Huddersfield's McAlpine Stadium.

Six points down with three minutes left, they equalised with a well-worked try and nerveless conversion from the touchline, and then won it 18-12 in the final seconds to leave Great Britain on their knees again.

England, of course, won union's World Cup hours earlier with that momentous drop goal by You Know Who, but the Kangaroos went one better here to win with a try - and it was arguably the most remarkable touchdown of the series, with the ball going through countless hands in an off-the-cuff move.

Indeed, the essence of the 'running code' was perhaps summed up by Darren Lockyer, who was instrumental in the move. "I was going to have a shot at the field goal," he explained, "but the ball hit the ground and I never had the chance - so I just ran it."

The try completed the first Ashes whitewash since 1986 - yet ironically it was the closest Ashes series in years. Each of the three thrillers went to the wire and proved rugby league has a strong international future.

Outgoing Lions' coach David Waite said: "We would have been upset with the draw, but the reality is the scoreboard at the end, and on three occasions it's been the wrong way."

The match had started almost as dramatically as the first, with Robbie Kearns on the end of a high tackle. Terry Newton was put on report and later fined £500 and banned for one game.

A Paul Deacon penalty soon gave Britain the lead and the Lions dug deep to keep it until Luke Ricketson crossed and Craig Fitzgibbon goaled.

GB substitute Sean Long had an immediate impact when his fine pass to Kris Radlinski saw the full-back expertly equalise. After the break, Newton's flat pass saw Paul Sculthorpe crash over and the goal gave Britain a 12-6 lead, which they held with stubborn defence until Michael De Vere cruelly crossed in the corner.

The pain increased with Fitzgibbon's superb conversion - but that was nothing compared to the dejection felt when Ricketson was on the end of the mesmeric move that won it.

The game itself was largely slog rather than style, with too many penalties and mistakes interrupting the flow. But the ending was little short of remarkable.

According to Lions captain Andy Farrell, though, it brought only "disbelief". He added: "We've lost 3-0 but we could easily have won the series."

Great Britain: Radlinski, Carney, Gleeson, Gilmour, Horne, Sculthorpe, Deacon, Fielden, Newton, Morley, Peacock, Farrell, Forshaw. Subs used: Long, McDermott, Sinfield, Ellis. (Tries: Radlinski, Sculthorpe. Goals: Deacon, Long.

Australia: Lockyer, Minichiello, Wing, De Vere, Sing, Crocker, Kimmorley, Webcke, Buderus, Kearns, Simpson, Fitzgibbon, Ricketson, Subs used: Civoniceva, Mason, Waterhouse, Smith. Tries: Ricketson (2), De Vere. Goals: Fitzgibbon 3.

Referee: Russell Smith (Castleford); crowd: 24,163.

Updated: 12:49 Monday, November 24, 2003