Lions - Five Wallabies to watch

The Aussie skipper's nickname is Nobody because, would you believe, Nobodyis perfect. Eales has been there, done it, got the T-shirt, tracksuit bottomsand probably the trainers too i.e: World Cup, Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup-winning captain. As a player, his basic job has been to secure the Wallabyline-out for ten years but he is much more than that. This inspirationalskipper will need all his renowned leadership skills to guide a developingWallaby side against the Lions. Missed most of the Super 12 with an Achillesinjury but now fit and determined to finish his career as a winner. Lionsfirst, then the Tri-Nations.

CHRIS LATHAM
Full back, Queensland Reds.
Age 25. Caps 16.

The Lions have Iain Balshaw, the Wallabies more than match them with ChrisLatham whose explosive and clever skills have helped him wrest the 15 shirtfrom the more traditional Matt Burke. Latham's style makes him difficultfor defences to contain as he sits off the action waiting to pounce or actas a decoy runner. Latham was sensational in the Super 12 - a model of consistency with the result that Burke could be shunted to thewing or even to the bench if the mercurial Andrew Walker is favoured out wide.

STEPHEN LARKHAM,
Fly half, ACT Brumbies.
Age 27. Caps 37.

Australia must have been tempted to wrap their outstanding playmaker incotton wool after the Super 12 in which he was targeted mercilessly byopposition who feared his unpredictable match-winning skills and vision. Buthe's bigger, faster and tougher than he looks and the Lions must try torestrict his influence. Remember, England squeaked their win against theAussies last November with not only Larkham missing but George Gregan too.The Brumbies half backs are probably the best in the world.

JEREMY PAUL
Hooker, ACT Brumbies.
Age 24. Caps 24.

Paul, a determined character if there ever was one, finally emerged fromthe shadow of Michael Foley when he outshone the Test veteran in theBrumbies' Super 12 semi-final win over the Reds. With ball in hand he's abit like a young Keith Wood or a refined Phil Greening but Rod Macqueen hasfinally given him the nod because he has improved his set play - drivingthe scrum, throwing in and defending the line-out. All vitally importantagainst the formidable Lions pack.

GEORGE SMITH
Open side flanker, ACT Brumbies.
Age 20. Caps 3.

Two years ago, 20-year-old Smith was playing schoolboy rugby. But, afterstepping into the boots of legendary breakaway David Wilson, theirrepressible Smith has made the position his own. Born of an Australianfather and Tongan mother, Smith shows great similarities to "little bigman" Wilson. He tackles fearlessly without respite and has the leg strengthto stand at the breakdown and rip the ball away without being knockedaside. He's quick around the park and his good hands set him apart from theAussies' other young flankers.

My Wallaby Test team: Chris Latham (Queensland Reds); Joe Roff (ACTBrumbies), Daniel Herbert (Reds), Nathan Grey (NSW Waratahs), Matt Burke(Waratahs); Stephen Larkham (Brumbies), George Gregan (Brumbies); Rod Moore(Waratahs), Jeremy Paul (Brumbies), Patricio Noriega (Stade Francais); JohnEales (Reds), David Giffin (Brumbies); George Smith (Brumbies); Toutai Kefu(Reds), Owen Finegan (Brumbies).