Tri-Nations: Australian second rower Willie Mason faces an anxious wait after being charged with striking Britain prop Stuart Fielden in the opening minutes of the Tri-Nations clash in Sydney.

Mason and Fielden came to blows in the third minute of the match, with Mason breaking the nose of the Wigan prop with a punch.

The Australia enforcer was officially charged with the strike after the match but his hearing has been postponed until Monday.

There was no shortage of pre-match talk from both camps in the lead-up to the encounter, which Britain unexpectedly won 23-12 in the Aussie Stadium, and it was not long before this translated into a confrontation of the pitch.

Mason's initial tackle on Fielden was highly suspect and was not appreciated by the big number eight and he made it clear to Canterbury Bulldogs prop.

Mason landed a flying punch flush on Fielden's nose that sent him to the ground before being taken from the field.

Mason was in trouble again minutes later after he appeared to strike half-back Sean Long with a swinging arm.

Referee Ashley Klein placed Mason on report, but the aggressive forward was cleared of that charge after the match.

After consultation with coach Brian Noble and the Lions management, the decision was taken by the visitors to lodge an official complaint over the punch.

Officials have come under fire recently for dismissing a number of key charges, and all eyes will be focused on the verdict.

Britain head back to New Zealand for their second match with the Kiwis after the first was expunged as the home side had fielded an ineligible player.

The Australians break for a week before facing the Lions in Brisbane in two weeks.