Adversity gave Wallabies rookie Christian Lealiifano drive to succeed

CHRISTIAN Lealiifano has put his cruel run of injuries behind him, but will take the lessons he learned into playing for the Wallabies.

CHRISTIAN Lealiifano has put his cruel run of injuries behind him, but will take the lessons he learned from overcoming them into playing for the Wallabies.

The Brumbies playmaker sustained a knee injury in 2010 and a dislocated ankle last year, which prevented him from getting a national call-up. It was a tough few years for the 25-year-old, but he got his reward on Sunday when Robbie Deans included him in his squad to take on the British and Irish Lions.

"Injuries over the last few years have always been a downfall of mine and I'm glad I've overcome them," Lealiifano said.

"Not only overcome them, but learned a lot of things along the way, like really not to take things for granted and this opportunity is one of those things that's definitely not taken for granted. I will really enjoy the opportunity that I've been given - not many people get to do it.

"Obviously a lot of those hard times and troubled times have been very difficult, which makes this selection all the more satisfying."

Former Wallaby greats Tim Horan and George Gregan have publicly backed Lealiifano, with Horan urging selectors to start Lealiifano at inside-centre.

Lealiifano can play five-eighth, but has spent a lot of time in the No.12 jersey and feels most comfortable there.

"It's humbling to know that a lot of former Wallaby greats have backed me and that's given me a little bit of confidence," he said.

"I haven't played Test match rugby before in any position. This season I've played a lot at 12 and I'm feeling very comfortable there, so I guess that will be my focus at the moment."

Lealiifano is grateful for the support he's received from the Brumbies and feels that working under World Cup-winning coach Jake White has prepared him for the step up to international rugby.

"He's really driven me to be the best player that I can be and if that's Test match capable, then I'm happy," Lealiifano said. "He's definitely excited for me to be the best player I can be, not only myself, but every other member of the Brumbies squad."

It would mean the world to Lealiifano to play for the Wallabies, but until that day comes he's committed to working hard for the Brumbies and making sure he's in the best possible shape to take on the Lions.

* George Smith's hopes of playing for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions for a historic second time remain alive after

scans on his knee revealed he could be back on the park within a month.

The news is even better for teammate and fellow Wallabies squad hopeful Pat McCabe, who could return in as little as two weeks after also hurting his knee in the Brumbies' 28-22 loss to the NSW Waratahs on Saturday night.

Smith has been diagnosed with a grade-two medial ligament tear, meaning a best-case scenario could have the 110-Test veteran back playing within four weeks.

That would give the champion openside flanker a slim hope of returning for a second crack at the Lions in the first Test in Brisbane on June 22 and an even better chance of playing in the second Test in Melbourne on June 29.