Mick Withers believes the future of British rugby league lies in the hands of Brian Noble.

The Aussie full back reckons his Bulls boss could be the man to save the game over here after the Sydney debacle.

"I think Brian Noble has to be the obvious choice to take on the international job," said Withers, whose family home is a boomerang's throw from the scene of the 54-point mauling the Lions suffered last Friday.

"He is an excellent coach and has probably learned a lot from David Waite.

"We work with him every day and he is a lot of fun to work with. He is also very honest in criticising his players and you always know where you stand with him.

"I think he could do a great job for Great Britain."

Noble has been working as assistant coach under Waite and also coached the Yorkshire side in the recent Origin series.

But if he were to take on the job he would have quite a task on his hands to improve his side's international standing.

"The Australians think they are the best in the world and the Test last week will not have helped the British game," said Withers, who is happy to spend his next few years playing in the Super League.

"They will be thinking 'same old Britain' and will be saying that all the talk about the British game improving is just talk.

"I know the game is getting stronger here but they won't believe it after the size of that defeat."