SWORST defeat ever. If those words do not spell the end for David Waite then he must rank as the luckiest boss in sporting history.

When the RFL made the shock announcement to install an Aussie in charge of the Great Britain team, the fact that it came on the back of England's miserable World Cup showing made it easy to push national pride to one side to focus on the bigger picture.

Since then, Waite has had the best part of 18 months to assess the British strengths and weaknesses and build a side capable of at least giving the Kangaroos a game.

Yesterday's shameful 64-10 humiliation against the old enemy in Sydney proved without a semblance of doubt just how little he has achieved. In fact, we have gone alarmingly backwards!

True, Australia have better, stronger, faster players than the British game has to offer - but not 54 points better! The Lions whimpered to such a pathetic display because their tactics were woefully naive.

From the first kick-off they employed a sliding defence which sat far too deep to contain the Australian runners, who revelled in the acres of space they were afforded.

The intention was to limit the Green and Golds' devastating 'second phase' attack but it simply allowed their powerhouses time to hit top speed before a tackle was attempted.

Andy Farrell and Paul Sculthorpe were strong in patches to create tries for Karl Pratt and Kevin Sinfield but to label them as 'consolation' would be grossly inaccurate as the team dynamic collapsed under the weight of 11 morale crushing tries.

Waite was shipped over and handed a huge salary to bring the British game into the 21st century. Instead he has sent it back to the dark ages. He must be replaced now before we slip unassailably behind our great rivals.