Karl Fairbank knows just how elated Great Britain will be feeling if they inflict another defeat on New Zealand this weekend.

The Bradford legend was a member of the Lions side that walloped the Kiwis 3-0 in 1993, alongside the likes of Garry Schofield, Shaun Edwards, Jonathan Davies and Odsal team-mate Paul Newlove.

It has taken 14 long years to clinch another series but following their 44-0 hammering of the beleaguered tourists last Saturday, Fairbank now expects them to go on and complete the whitewash - just like his peers.

"I watched Britain last week and they looked like a team of world-beaters," said the revered former Northern forward.

"Everyone from one to 17 was outstanding.

"It does make me wonder just how good the Kiwis are, especially at half-back where they looked pretty vulnerable, while I don't know why they played their best centre - Shontayne Hape - on the wing.

"But you can't knock what Britain did. I don't think Kevin Sinfield warranted a place back in but generally we beat them in the forwards and outplayed them in the backs."

Fairbank added: "The half-backs, who I didn't think would be a good combination, looked very, very good with Leon Pryce and Rob Burrow, who I think could have won man of the match in both Tests.

"Jamie Peacock just carried on his great form, Adrian Morley is doing a really good, proper job, while the second-rows are just working their socks off.

"I can't see anything else than a 3-0 come Saturday night. Tony Smith must think this international rugby is easy!"

Meanwhile, Fairbank's memories of that 1993 series under Malcolm Reilly are still fresh.

Establishing himself as the country's leading front-rower, he played in all three Tests, wins coming at Wembley and Central Park before culminating with a personal high in the final 29-10 victory in Leeds.

"I always liked playing at Headingley and that was probably one of my best ever games for Great Britain," said the hardened prop, who eventually won 16 caps.

"It felt like it. We made it 3-0 and it was a really good Great Britain side - probably one of the best of that era.

"I scored a try as well. Dave Watson, my clubmate at Bradford, was playing for New Zealand that day and he was their last line of defence.

"After I went over he kept saying to me You never got it down, you never scored!' But I did and that match was probably my finest."

Another try-scorer that afternoon was a certain Andy Farrell, a fresh-faced second-rower making his debut.

"Andy Farrell and Jason Robinson were the young guys coming through then and we had Phil Clarke in the second row as well," recalled Fairbank.

"I gave him a pass to put him over but he got taken off the ball and we ended up winning a penalty try.

"New Zealand had a young Stephen Kearney in their pack, who was one of the best second-rowers I ever saw, and there were people like Kevin Iro, Frano Botica and Brent Stuart around too.

"It was a great win for us. We always pushed the Kiwis close but they came over here pretty confident of beating us.

"We played them at Wembley first though and everyone always said playing Great Britain there was a tough ask for anyone as it meant so much to us English boys.

"We won and didn't look back."

Ironically, at just 18, the Bulls' own Sam Burgess became the youngest debutant since Farrell in the opening Test of the current series.

Fairbank, one of the toughest forwards of any generation and now on the coaching staff at Halifax, is well placed to comment on both.

"Sam's a very different player to Andy," he said.

"I don't think he's got the ball skills Andy had but as a top forward he can't do much more than he's done. He's looked really at home playing Test football.

"The Kiwis tried putting some hits on him but he stood up to them all and put it about himself.

"I wasn't 23 until I made my debut and I didn't start as a prop.

"Sam's got the physique and stature at six foot three and it really surprised me how big he actually is.

"If he's got that size to start with it's pretty good for the next ten years."

Fairbank believes the future is bright for Great Britain and England.

"We have not had the biggest sides in the past," recalls the Odsal stalwart.

"I remember going to Australia with Britain in '88 and we went to some luncheon all done up in our blazers.

"They (the Aussies) were straight across from us - big people like Paul Sironen, Sam Backo and Bob Lindner.

"Mal Meninga, a centre, was twice as big as any of us and we just looked like schoolkids we were that small in comparison.

"It's not so much the case now with people like Jamie Peacock, Adrian Morley and Burgess and there's some great talent coming through.

"We're still a way off Australia but we're taking a step in the right direction and a strong Super League is helping."