Some captains just keep leading by example. Jamie Peacock wrestled his way past six tacklers for Great Britain’s first try after 1min 12sec and New Zealand were battered, bewitched and bewildered for another 78 minutes in Hull as the Lions secured a first series victory since a 3-0 “blackwash” of the Kiwis in 1993 — their target for the final match, in Wigan on Saturday.

Peacock could be one of those rested by Tony Smith after his totemic display, although the prop remains to be convinced by the Britain coach, who is looking to test his potential 2008 World Cup squad in the third game. “We have to win one more game, then I’ll start to think about having a rest,” Peacock said. “It was a great performance and a great result, but neither meant as much to me as winning the series. A generation of players have missed out on that feeling.”

A third victory would be a fitting conclusion to the last game on home soil under the Great Britain label, before the name change to England, and Smith has faith in some less experienced charges finishing the job.

Once Leon Pryce stepped back inside the perilously thin black line for Britain’s second try, New Zealand were outpaced and outwitted at every turn.

Scorers: Great Britain: Tries: Peacock, Pryce 2, Raynor, Wellens, Gardner, Burrow, Senior. Goals: Sinfield 5, Burrow.

Great Britain: P Wellens; A Gardner, M Gleeson, K Senior, G Raynor; L Pryce, R Burrow; A Morley, J Clarke, J Peacock, G Ellis, S O’Loughlin, K Sinfield. Substitutes: M Fa’asavalu, J Graham, S Burgess, D McGuire.

New Zealand: S Perrett; T Tuiaki, C Toopi, P Whatuira, S Hape; L Hohaia, T Leuluai; R Asotasi, D Halatau, S Rapira, S Mannering, F Pritchard, J Smith. Substitutes: D Faiumu, L Anderson, G Eastwood, F Moimoi. Referee: T Archer (Australia).