Britain look for instant success

If Great Britain are to upset Australia in their "hit-and-run" Test in Sydney on Friday night, they will need to be as organised on the pitch as they have been off it.

When the game's administrators accepted the offer of a one-off Test in mid-season – the first in Sydney for 10 years – they knew it was an imperfect answer to the need for more international rugby league. To fly out to Australia and play six days after arriving is a formidable task; the alternative was to let another year drift by without reviving one of the code's lost traditions.

Some, like the former Great Britain captain Garry Schofield, believe that this year's squad are on a hiding to nothing and that Britain's credibility could be irreparably damaged. That is a risk, but David Waite and his team have done everything possible to guard against that.

Last Friday night was like a military operation, with the fitness of each player checked after their Super League match and a fleet of mini-buses delivering them to the team hotel at Manchester Airport, while shadow squad members were told that they would not be needed.

On the plane, the party took with them a mobile medical centre, for work on Andy Farrell's groin, Lee Gilmour's ankle, Keiron Cunningham's eye and other ailments during the long journey. The in-flight entertainment featured Waite screening his tapes analysing the Australians.

"I think the preparation will be as good as it can be," said the Wigan full-back, Kris Radlinski. "In the Origin Series both coaches used the same moves and the calls. It's not as though the players will be foreign to one another.

"In the past, we've done well in one-off games against the Australians. Perhaps they won't be expecting too much from us with no build-up this time, but that could work in our favour."

Radlinski is one of a solid nucleus of British players on this trip who would not look out of place in an Australian side. The strength in depth here does not measure up to Australia's – and possibly never will – but in him, Farrell, Cunningham and Paul Sculthorpe, Waite has players of world-class ability.

The other reason for a degree of cautious confidence is that no pack built on the consistent excellence of players like Barrie McDermott, Terry O'Connor and Chris Joynt should be steam-rolled the way some Great Britain sides have been in the past.

Then there are the younger players, getting a chance to make a name for themselves against the very best. "Martin Gleeson has been outstanding for St Helens this season," said Radlinski. "Although he's a Wigan lad, I didn't know him, but he's fitted in straight away in the Great Britain squad."

Others the Australians know little of, players like Paul Wellens, Stuart Fielden and Jamie Peacock, also have the ability to make an impact. It remains a formidable and daunting task, although, as ever with Waite, great thought has gone into making the best of his limited time with his players.

Before the serious preparation starts, the party will take the time to climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge and look out over the city – the world capital of rugby league – in which they have to impress.

Waite won't quite make the "all this can be yours" speech, but the message will be clear. One win next Friday and the feeling at the end of this hectic trip will be one of bestriding the code's horizons.