AUSSIE rugby league stars tackled a different kind of opponent as they swapped touchdowns for tees and field goals for fairways.

Five Kangaroos, including coach Chris Anderson, played a round at Fulford Golf Course to relax ahead of Saturday's decisive third Guinness Test against Great Britain.

The Aussies had hammered the Lions 40-12 at Bolton's Reebok Stadium on Saturday to level the Ashes series, having lost the first Test at Huddersfield 20-12. And some of the squad took their rest day in York yesterday before returning to training today.

"It's a bit of relaxation and a bit of fun," said Anderson, who had masterminded Australia's crushing second Test win.

"We were going to come last Monday but after the defeat on the Sunday we opted to do more training."

The world champions had given a below-par display in that first game, but were back in the swing of things on Saturday.

"We played well and showed a big improvement," said Anderson. "Britain were a bit flat, having been fired up the week before. But it was still a tough game."

The Aussies fly home on Monday, two days after the final Test at Wigan's JJB Stadium.

Stand-off Braith Anasta, who scored a try on Saturday after coming on as substitute, was one of the players at Fulford.

"It's nice to come here and relax - I play a lot of golf at home. Fulford looks like a fantastic course," said the 19-year-old three-handicapper, who plays his club rugby for Canterbury Bulldogs.

Aussie winger Lote Tuqiri is rated 50-50 to be fit for the clash after straining a medial knee ligament, while second-row Ben Kennedy is doubtful with a hand injury.

Saturday's man-of-the-match Andrew Johns, and winger Adam MacDougall are expected to be fit despite respective rib and ankle injuries.

Britain's full-back Kris Radlinski is a major doubt after pulling an abductor muscle. Forwards Adrian Morley and Terry Newton had been ruled out of the series before the second Test, joining Sean Long, Keiron Cunningham and James Lowes on the sidelines.

Updated: 12:08 Tuesday, November 20, 2001