Rugby League: Brasher set for the place that Jack built

THE former Australian full-back, Garry Jack, captains Sheffield Eagles tonight in direct opposition to his protege, writes Dave Hadfield.

Tim Brasher, a team-mate at Balmain and the man Jack believes should inherit the position in the Test side, has his chance to stake his World Cup final claim.

'He hasn't had the chance to play full-back much at Balmain, because I was there and he was pushed out to the wing, but he is the man for the job,' Jack said.

'When it began to look as though he would be the man to succeed me at the club I was able to give him some help.'

The Eagles coach, Gary Hetherington, who hopes for a ground-record five-figure gate, said that it is only fitting that Jack, capped 20 times by his country, should be skipper against Australia. 'It will be a strange experience for me - a bit like kissing your mother-in-law,' he said.

Sheffield's other Australian international, Bruce McGuire, has had a tooth out, but will play. Not so lucky is his fellow-countryman, Paul Carr, who has a mandatory lay-off after concussion. Ian Hughes is out with a groin strain and Mick Cook and Anthony Farrell both face fitness tests. Australia play the five Brisbane Broncos who were rested from their first game at Huddersfield, including their trump card, Allan Langer.

Sheffield: Jack (capt); Simpson, Gamson, Price, Plange; Mycoe, Aston; (from) Broadbent, Cook, Waddell, Laughton, Young, McGuire, Farrell, Lumb.

AUSTRALIA: Brasher; Carne, Johns, Meninga (capt), Hancock; Kevin Walters, Langer; Lazarus, Kerrod Walters, Harragon, Sironen, Lindner. Substitutes: Godden, Fittler, Cartwright, Sargent.