Fly-half matchwinners Stephen Larkham and Jonny Wilkinson will renew acquaintances on Saturday - three years after experiencing wildly contrasting introductions to life at number 10.

Wallabies playmaker Larkham and Lions tactical controller Wilkinson are pivotal figures set to have a major say in the three-Test series which begins on Saturday.

But at least they will be on something like a level playing field this time, unlike in 1998 when Larkham and Australia cut England to shreds.

Larkham, switched from full-back by Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen for that international campaign, scored three tries as Australia destroyed a hopelessly under-strength England side 76-0 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

Wilkinson, who celebrated his 19th birthday barely a week before suffering that humiliation, was powerless to prevent the rout.

Larkham though expects a totally different story to unfold when Wilkinson runs out at The Gabba this weekend.

``Jonny has come a long way since 1998 and will go into this game in a lot of form, bringing overall stability to the team,'' he said. ``The Lions have been very impressive. They are an entertaining side that likes to throw the ball around but we want to test their capabilities.''

Larkham, a driving force behind ACT Brumbies' Super 12 success this season, admits he was initially reluctant to don the fly-half jersey in Wallaby colours, a move now hailed as one of Macqueen's coaching master-strokes.

And amazingly his first three years in that role saw him overcome an eyesight problem that has only recently been rectified by laser surgery.

With Larkham now seeing things clearly, prospects for the Lions could prove bleak.

``I have always said that I would eventually get around to having it done and this was the best time to do it,'' added Larkham, who underwent corrective work earlier this month.

``There would be times in a game when I might not see the ball or the sidelines properly, but it was just something that I got used to. I have noticed the difference already - at least I can see if an opposing player is a back or a forward now!''

If Australia take the series, Larkham will undoubtedly have had a major say in how the story unfolded, but he knows the Wallabies face a huge task, despite their status as the world's best team at the moment.

``This is going to be a step up from either the Tri-Nations or Bledisloe Cup,'' he added, and you knew that he meant every word.