July 14 was always going to be a big day for Wallaby flanker George Smith ... he just never realised it would be quite so big in 2001.

Smith turns 21 on Saturday, the same day he runs out to try and help the Wallabies to an historic win against the Lions at Stadium Australia. And what a birthday present it would be ... Australia's first series victory against the Lions.

Smith has rocketed to the top of the class this year as the flanker to watch after some stunning performances for the Brumbies in the Super12. But many Lions fans were wondering what all the fuss was about when he was outplayed in the First Test in Brisbane. They discovered the reasons one week later when the dreadlocked Smith dominated the breakdown during the Wallabies' 35-14 victory in Melbourne.

Lions assistant-coach and a former openside flanker Andy Robinson says Smith provides a major stumbling block for the tourists at Stadium Australia.

"He picks some great lines and he's adapted well to the new laws and he reads the game very well, plus he's very strong," Robinson said. "And with the amount of hits that he gets with the way that people try and clear him off the ball, he stays around the contact area very well.

"He's strong in that area and he had the upper hand on us last Saturday. I felt that we dealt with him well the week before, but we allowed him back into the game, as we allowed the Australian pack into the game last week."

Another Wallaby hoping to be celebrating on Saturday night will be fullback Matt Burke, who earns his 50th cap. Burke made his Test debut in 1993 against South Africa in Sydney.

Burke regained his beloved No.15 jersey for the Second Test against the Lions after Queensland's Chris Latham held the position for the previous year.

"By chance it turns up in Sydney," Burke said. "The occasion of going into the last match one-all and everything to play for is a great thrill for me."