Wallabies give Eales vote of confidence

MELBOURNE - Australian coach Rod Macqueen has defended his World Cup-winning captain John Eales against a claim from ex-Wallaby first five-eighths Michael Lynagh that Eales was distracted and should retire.

Lynagh, a member of the 1991 World Cup-winning side, was highly critical of the 31-year-old lock, a former team mate, after Australia's 29-13 loss to the Lions in last Saturday's first test in Brisbane.

"With thoughts of retirement in the back of his mind he looked like someone who wished he hung up his boots last year," Lynagh wrote in an internet column in planet-rugby.com.

He said Eales was "under-prepared, injured and distracted" and that the Lions would have feared uncapped ACT Brumbies lock Justin Harrison more than Eales in Saturday's second test in Melbourne.

Macqueen, however, disagreed. "I certainly haven't seen that (being distracted) in his game," he told a news conference yesterday.

"He's been very focused. As a captain he's rallied the team last week together because of the importance of the game.

"Since the loss he's been very proactive in working with the team and having a positive attitude towards this game."

Eales was replaced in the second half of the first test because of a thigh injury and did not train at full pace until Tuesday. His Super 12 season with the Reds was also hampered by an Achilles heel injury.

"He's obviously got a slight lack of match practice because he's had a couple of injuries but certainly he's out there doing everything that all the players do and he's been involved in every training session," Macqueen said.

"He's certainly not one to shirk. He's someone that leads, so, no, I really don't see that as an issue."

Wallaby hooker Michael Foley, promoted to the starting side to replace Jeremy Paul who is expected to be out for six months with a knee injury, said Eales would not let Lynagh's words upset him.

"I think he (Lynagh) also attacked Steve Larkham. Maybe he's got an issue with captains and five-eighths," Foley said.

"I actually think Ealesy's motivation is second to none. He's highly professional. Certainly when I went on the field I noted his composure in very difficult circumstances.

"Those sort of comments for a guy like John Eales, it's probably a bit of water off a duck's back. Definitely he'd be surprised that Michael Lynagh made them, that's for sure."

The Wallabies have made three changes, dropping fullback Chris Latham to give 1999 World Cup final hero Matthew Burke the chance to resume goalkicking duties and allowing wing Andrew Walker to concentrate on his running game.

Tighthead prop Rod Moore was included for the injured Glenn Panoho and uncapped Brendan Cannon was given the back-up hooker role on the bench.

As ex-champions like Lynagh turn on the team, Macqueen appealed to Australian fans to make more noise than Lions supporters at Melbourne's Colonial Stadium after the red-shirted tourists drowned out Wallaby fans last week in Brisbane.

"I think there is some promotions work going on out there to encourage more Australians to wear gold," Macqueen said.

"It's interesting because Australians by nature are not a very demonstrative type of crowd. The team certainly does hear it and appreciate it."

Meanwhile, injuries have forced the Lions to delay naming their team for the test.

The Lions were due to name their side yesterday, but announced they would have to wait until tomorrow because of concerns about the fitness of several players.

"We're not in a position to the name the team," Lions manager Donal Lenihan said after naming an expanded squad of 27 players.

"We have a number of bumps and bruises from players who are in contention for the 22 and we didn't want to name a team that could changed between now and Saturday."

Lenihan rejected suggestions the Lions had delayed the announcement simply to frustrate the Australians, who named their team as scheduled on Wednesday.

"We have to do what's right for us," Lenihan said. "As I said, we have a number of bumps and bruises and we just want to make sure the squad we name is fit and available for the game."

Lions coach Graham Henry said the delay would disrupt his team's preparation for the match, adding that he had had no choice in the matter.

He said England flanker Neil Back had been cleared to play after missing last weekend's first test, but there were concerns over fullback Matt Perry and a number of bench players, including Austin Healey, Jason Leonard and Martyn Williams.

"We discussed all the options and we didn't think it was a positive thing to name a team today and then on Friday have to make two or three changes," Henry said.

"The most positive thing was to name the team on Friday when we knew everybody's circumstances. I don't want to name the team until we have 100 per cent clarity."

Australia: Matthew Burke, Andrew Walker, Daniel Herbert, Nathan Grey, Joe Roff, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Toutai Kefu, George Smith, Owen Finegan, John Eales (captain), David Giffin, Rod Moore, Michael Foley, Nick Stiles.

Reserves: Brendan Cannon, Ben Darwin, Matt Cockbain, David Lyons, Chris Whitaker, Elton Flatley, Chris Latham.

Lions squad: Matt Perry, Iain Balshaw, Dafydd James, Brian O'Driscoll, Rob Henderson, Jason Robinson, Ben Cohen, Jonny Wilkinson, Neil Jenkins, Austin Healey, Matt Dawson, Rob Howley, Scott Quinnell, Martin Corry, Neil Back, Richard Hill, David Wallace, Martyn Williams, Danny Grewcock, Martin Johnson (captain), Phil Vickery, Tom Smith, Jason Leonard, Darren Morris, Keith Wood, Gordon Bulloch, Dorian West.

- REUTERS