Tony Smith today explained the decision to leave Sam Burgess out of his Great Britain side declaring: He's already proved his worth.

The Bulls teenager is a surprise omission from the squad for Saturday night's final Test against New Zealand.

After a dazzling try-scoring debut, then impressing in last week's 44-0 rout to clinch the series, wonderkid Burgess hoped to be on the field again as the Lions aim for a 3-0 whitewash.

It is also an historic occasion being Great Britain's final match on home soil but Smith has made changes and the 18-year-old prop misses out when the action kicks-off at Wigan.

However, the Great Britain chief insists the youngster has done no wrong and is simply being rested - with one eye already on the 2008 World Cup.

"We're just getting him ready for next year," Smith said.

"Sam has done tremendously well for us. In the four matches available he's played in three and played very well, particularly considering his age.

"He has really held his own on the international stage and has been terrific for us.

"We've found out a lot about Sam and pretty much most of it is positive.

"I think it's fair to say he has already proved himself and as long as that form continues next year he's in the mix for the World Cup.

"But it's vitally important Sam has a good season and a great pre-season which is something he hasn't really been afforded as a senior player.

"That will be a massive part of his development."

Burgess, who won his Great Britain spot with a man-of-the-match display for the Northern Union against the All Golds, missed most of last pre-season due to shoulder surgery but can now turn his attentions to preparing fully for 2008.

Smith praised the manner in which Super League's Young Player of the Year accepted the news he wouldn't be in battle this weekend when Great Britain will receive the Gillette Fusion Series trophy - win, lose or draw.

"I've spoken to Sam and, while he's got disappointment in not playing another Test now, that young man is going to play in plenty of others for years to come," he said.

"He took it like you'd expect Sam to take it, like he's taken everything else that's been thrown at him - exceptionally well.

"He's a big part of our squad on as well as off the field as he has a great personality.

"He's been terrific for us but now we're also looking to give some other guys an opportunity to show what they can do."

Smith looks set to hand Leeds Rhinos prop/second-row Jamie Jones-Buchanan his debut after he was included in the 20-man squad.

However, uncapped Bulls star Michael Platt won't get a shot and, along with Huddersfield's Stephen Wild, looks set to have the dubious distinction of being the only members of the 25-man squad not to play in any Test.

There will be no Bradford representation at all at the JJB Stadium as hooker Terry Newton, dropped last week, also misses out.

Two players - Burgess and Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield - have been omitted from the side that thrashed New Zealand 44-0 at Hull.

Huddersfield's new signing, winger David Hodgson, and Hull centre Kirk Yeaman have been called up and they could make their first appearance of the series while St Helens duo James Roby and Jon Wilkin are recalled after being left out last week.

Great Britain squad: R Burrow (Leeds), J Clarke (Warrington), G Ellis (Leeds), M Fa'asavalu (St Helens), A Gardner (St Helens), M Gleeson (Warrington), J Graham (St Helens), D Hodgson (Huddersfield), J Jones-Buchanan (Leeds), D McGuire (Leeds), A Morley (Warrington), S O'Loughlin (Wigan), J Peacock (Leeds), L Pryce (St Helens), G Raynor (Hull), J Roby (St Helens), K Senior (Leeds), P Wellens (St Helens), J Wilkin (St Helens), K Yeaman (Hull).