Wallaby skipper John Eales says he is a certain starter for Saturday's make-or-break second rugby Test against the
British and Irish Lions at Colonial Stadium in Melbourne.

But coach Rod Macqueen has given Eales and injured flyhalf Stephen Larkham
until late Tuesday to prove they have realistic chances of playing in a Test
the world champion Wallabies must win to keep the series alive.

Only then will he give them the time they need to reach full fitness before
Saturday night's Test, the second of three.

Eales badly bruised his thigh and was forced off midway through the second
half of the Wallabies' crushing 29-13 Brisbane Test defeat on Saturday.
Larkham injured his elbow but is also hopeful of starting on Saturday.

Neither player joined in the team's training session Monday.

"Almost 100 percent certain," Eales said of his chances of playing. "The
injury's pretty much under control. I anticipate training fully tomorrow."
The Wallabies will name their side on Wednesday, with some change
inevitable from the first test side.
One enforced switch is replacing hooker Jeremy Paul, out with cruciate ligament damage.That job is almost certain to fall to experienced Queensland star Michael Foley.

But Macqueen dashed any hopes of an Allan Langer-style recall for
England-based centre Tim Horan, whose defensive prowess could be useful in
countering Irish whiz Brian O'Driscoll.

"Timmy's always been a great inspiration to the side but I think we can do without him this time around," Macqueen said.

Langer is the toast of Australian rugby league having returned from his English club Warrington to play a starring role in Queensland's State of Origin series win against New South Wales in Brisbane on Sunday night.