It was painful to hear but you couldn't fault Iestyn Harris's honesty or pragmatism.

The Bulls skipper was explaining his reasons for quitting Great Britain duty to me on Tuesday and he made a good case.

He told of how the pressing demands and increasing physicality of the modern-day game was taking its toll and how, as his tiring body entered its 30th year, he had to reassess how to get the most out of his remaining time in rugby league.

Harris is contracted to the champions until 2008, they pay his wages, he loves the club and wants to spend the last three or four years of his illustrious career solely dedicated to lifting silverware with the Bulls.

That's great for Bradford fans. The player is in fine form already but intends on taking his game to even greater levels by reducing his other commitments.

But for me, there was one nagging problem. By packing in international rugby while still in his prime, the gifted stand-off one of the great players of his generation will now never realise a major ambition: beating the Aussies over the course of an entire series.

His response was succinct: "There's not many GB players who have done that, is there?

"It's been a while since we've beaten them in a tournament but you can't keep clinging on to things and saying this is going to be the one'."

Harris wasn't even born the last time Great Britain last overcame their old rivals in any sort of competition.

There have been individual successes since but the team have never enjoyed a series triumph and Harris has lost all four matches he has played against the Roos.

Britain claim to be getting closer to Australia but for all the optimism (this columnist was getting excited again only last week on the announcement of the latest squad to take up the challenge) their efforts ultimately end in failure.

And let's not forget that New Zealand are the current Tri-Nations champions as well, having usurped the Kangaroos in November to leave Britain slipping into third in the world order.

Maestro Harris is the sort of player who deserves to be part of any squad that does rule the world but it is damning that such a senior star has resigned himself to accepting it won't happen during his career.

"I really hope this year is the one for the players but you've got to make the decision that is right for yourself sometimes and this is it for me," he said.

"I'd be the number one fan for them (Britain) at the end of the year and I reckon it (Tri-Nations) is going to be good for the game of rugby league.

"We need to win a Tri-Nations pretty quickly and to do it over there would be magnificent.

"But it will be tough. We've got the rough end of the stick again with four games on the bounce but we've been used to that over the last few years."

The international timetable has never been kind to the Lions' chances of success. Last year, the squad flew out to Marbella for training immediately after the Super League Grand Final and then started the Tri-Nations only a week later.

At the end of a gruelling Super League campaign, they played four Test matches in as many weeks and inevitably came up short.

This year, Brian Noble takes his squad Down Under and the itinerary is equally as punishing.

When you look at Harris's stats since making his Britain debut in 1996, some would argue what all the fuss is about.

He has played just 15 times in the following decade effectively an average of less than two games a year, a little over when his three-year switch to rugby union is taken into account.

But during that time, Super League campaigns have got longer and the hectic Tri-Nations has emerged, meaning the off-season has shortened.

And for Harris, who also has a young family to consider and now the extra responsibilities of the Bulls captaincy, the pros outweighed the cons.

"I've had five or six years where I've not had a break," he explained.

"Obviously it's something special to go to Australia and New Zealand and play in the Tri-Nations.

"But, looking at it, it's a seven-week tournament, there's a lot of training sessions on Wednesdays beforehand which is our day off at Bradford there's also a game in the middle of the year and there's a lot of rugby.

"It's not just that but a lot of training on top of the game and I just felt now's the right time for me.

"Mentally, I'm in a real good state but between 30 and 34, depending on when you retire, you have got to look after your body to regularly play and play well. I've enjoyed my time with Great Britain and have been very proud to play for them but now is the right time for me to retire."

Realistically, all Harris is doing is missing the forthcoming Tri-Nations; GB split into the home nations next year and for the 2008 World Cup so, by the time they reconvene, he would be 33.

Harris made his debut against Papua New Guinea as a fresh-faced 20-year-old on tour amid the sweltering heat and humidity of Lae.

Any ideas who faced him at stand-off? Yes, current Bulls team-mate Stanley Gene. And Marcus Bai lined up in the centre for the Kumuls as the tourists clawed their way to a 32-30 victory with Bradford's Stuart Spruce at full back.

"The highlights are I've been on a couple of tours to Australia and New Zealand," said Harris.

"They were always fantastic to be involved with, while I've played in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and been all over the world."

But who will take over Harris's position in the national side now?

Just as Noble thought all the clamouring for Lee Briers' inclusion had died down, Harris has now inadvertently put his former boss on the spot again.

With Harris stepping aside, if Noble still doesn't include the on-fire Warrington pivot, there could be anarchy.

"Richard Horne has been playing outstandingly well, Danny McGuire is going really well and Lee Briers has put his hand up for international recognition," offered Harris.

And what about his old Bradford team-mate Leon Pryce?

"Oh, yeah, Leon, as well. I can't forget Leon. Mention him or he'll kill me!"