GREAT Britain coach Brian Noble is confident prop Stuart Fielden will still play a major part in the Gillette Tri-Nations Series.

Fielden made little impact in Saturday's memorable victory over Australia in Sydney after being floored by a punch from the now banned Willie Mason early on.

The much-hyped Fielden, who joined Wigan in a record £500,000 deal in the summer, also had a quiet game in the Lions' opening defeat by New Zealand but Noble has no doubts over the Warriors star.

The Lions boss feels the 27-year-old is due a big performance and said: "I can feel it coming. Sometimes you have lulls in your form for different reasons.

"I have admiration for him because he copped a sweet one really. To get up from that one and play on for a while, in relation to having your marbles scrambled, I think he's done real well.

"I was amazed he got up off the canvas."

Fielden had his nose broken by the blow but will at least not have to face Mason again until the final - if Britain get there - after the Canterbury forward was yesterday hit with a one-game suspension.

Mason - who got the tournament off to an explosive start when he insulted New Zealand as they performed the haka prior to game one - was also fined £2,000 at a disciplinary hearing in Sydney.

Mason claimed he was acting in self-defence after seeing Fielden shape to hit him but a three-man panel ruled his response was disproportionate.

Britain will now turn their attention to their next game against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday, knowing another victory will secure a place in the final against the Kangaroos.

Their chief worry is winger Brian Carney, who sustained a hamstring injury against Australia but Noble is hopeful the former Wigan three-quarter will pull through.

"He's got a bit of a hamstring," Noble said. "It's not torn, it's a slight pull, but I have to say he is very, very confident of being ready for the weekend.

"The others are just dead-leg type injuries which you are going to get in a match of that ferocity."

New Zealand have had a difficult series, having their win over Britain in their last game expunged from the records for fielding an ineligible player and losing twice to Australia.

They are likely to need a big victory to stand any chance of reaching the final and defending the title they won last year.

It could make for another pulsating Test and Lions full-back Paul Wellens is looking forward to the clash.

He said: "We are just looking forward to the game now and hopefully cement our place in the final with a great performance.

"We always had it in mind that if we go to New Zealand next week and get a result, that will book our place in the final."

Meanwhile, New Zealand head coach Brian McClennan has made a number of key changes to his side ahead of Saturday's must-win Gillette Tri-Nations clash with Great Britain at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.

Bradford Bulls three-quarter Shontayne Hape is one of three players to return, along with NRL stars Steve Matai and Dene Halatau, for the Kiwis.

Hape, who starred in the Kiwis' second Test loss to Australia in Melbourne, will return to the wing, while Matai joins Sydney Roosters utility Iosia Soliola in the centres.

McClennan has also brought in veteran Nigel Vagana to the play-maker position.