Australia's Tri Nations rugby league siesta comes at the perfect time for five-eighth Craig Gower.

The Penrith captain has an assortment of ailments, most notably a dose of the flu and an ongoing case of osteo pubis - a nagging groin problem that requires rest.

"It's just a progressive thing for me," Gower said after playing a leading hand in Australia's last-gasp 12-8 win over Great Britain.

"I just have to see how it goes. We have had three tough games, we have had a long season and it will be good to get away, recharge ourselves and then put our heads back on footy next week.

"It's (Tri Nations) a great concept, it's just hard after a long season. It sort of feels like we haven't had a break."

There's a reason for that - he hasn't.

The inspirational Panthers half, like most of his Kangaroos teammates, has been going non-stop since the pre-season.

And there's another four weeks to go.

Bearing that in mind, coach Wayne Bennett has taken advantage of a break in the Kangaroos' schedule to give the players some time off.

Most are heading to Prague for some well-deserved R-and-R.

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