Australian lock Luke Ricketson expects Great Britain to take their game up another notch in the second Ashes Test at Hull on Sunday morning (AEST) - but he's also warned the home side to be ready for an improved performance from the Kangaroos.

Australia scraped past the courageous Lions in the opening Ashes Test at Wigan last Sunday (AEST), winning 22-18 thanks to a late try from captain Darren Lockyer.

But the manner in which Great Britain were able to push Australia despite having forward Adrian Morley sent off only 12 seconds into the match has put the Kangaroos on notice.

"I think they'll definitely be stronger but in saying that we will as well," Ricketson said.

"That run's going to be good for us. I think we'll be a heap better. We have shown in the lead-up games that we're battling to get used to the style of play we're doing.

"We don't have the skill level of other Kangaroos sides have. We're going to have to get used to grinding wins out which we did, but we're going to have to do it better."

Morley was dismissed for a high tackle on Australian prop Robbie Kearns but his absence seemed to inspire the British players.

Several Kangaroos were still feeling the effects of the physical match, with Brett Kimmorley (thigh) and Shannon Hegarty (ankle) in doubt for the second Test.

Kearns and Craig Fitzgibbon are also recovering from concussions while centre Phil Bailey is due to be discharged from Manchester hospital on Monday after fracturing his eye socket, an injury that has ended his tour.

"It was obviously pretty disappointing what happened in the first couple of seconds with Adrian being sent off but they were very close to beating us," Ricketson said.

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