Student, office worker to play Lions' Jamie Roberts, Brian O'Driscoll

A UNIVERSITY student and an office worker will mark the $2 million superstar centre pairing of Jamie Roberts and Brian O'Driscoll tomorrow night.

Brian O'Driscoll

A UNIVERSITY student and an office worker will be sent in to mark the $2 million superstar centre pairing of Jamie Roberts and Brian O'Driscoll tomorrow night.

Tareta-Junior Siakisini and Lewie Catt, both country rugby players who do not earn a professional salary from the game, confront the greatest task of their lives at Newcastle's Hunter Stadium when they run out for the Combined NSW and Queensland Country side.

Roberts and O'Driscoll,rated as the greatest centre pairing in Lions history, are set to start in the first Test against the Wallabies on June 22.

Siakisini (Queensland Country) and Catt (NSW Country), who both dream of making it big in rugby, can impress potential suitors if they hold their own against the Welsh and Irish stars.

"My heritage is Samoan, and everyone knows about Wales being in the same pool as Samoa at the last World Cup (Wales won 17-10) so I wasn't a big fan of Jamie Roberts then," said Siakisini, who will oppose Roberts in the No.12 jersey.

"There is nothing you can dislike about the guy, he is a hard player who gives it his all, a giant who can run fast.

"It's unbelievable that I'm going to get the chance, every centre in the world knows that's going to be a hard job.

"I am just going to do my best, try to stop him, but he's a world-class player so who knows what will happen?"

Catt, who programs computer-coded machinery used in mining during the day, will mark legend O'Driscoll.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, they can play for their national teams but that still wouldn't put Roberts and O'Driscoll together, it's every four years that they do come together," Catt said.

"What a way to come on to the big stage, you're coming up against two of the best centres in the world.

"As long as we communicate from inside out, stay connected from 10, 12 to 13 - it's going to be a challenge, but a challenge we're all up for.

"Ever since I have played rugby I've watched O'Driscoll, tried to pick up things from his game."

Catt, a Newcastle local and former Knights junior, suffered a major motorcycle injury - a shattered pelvis.

He gave up his NRL dream and began studying at university, taking up rugby as a hobby with Hamilton Hawks.

"It's only been in the last couple of years that I have stood up in the rugby, where I have said I do want to make something of it," Catt said.

"This is my first year at the Newcastle Wanderers."

Siakisini plays for the Gold Coast Breakers, who fall under the Queensland Country banner.

"I took some time off uni, studying accounting and financial planning, just to chase the dream," said Siakisini, who still lives at home.

"I've been training my heart out. Two years ago I was 127kg now I'm down to 107kg.

"I was still playing at centre, but I was a 20-minute centre, not an 80-minute centre."

Siakisini's parents, brother and two sisters have driven from the Gold Coast to Newcastle to watch him in action. Catt's brother has flown in from London to do the same.

O'Driscoll and Roberts, who played four matches together during the Lions' previous tour to South Africa in 2009, are two of the most valuable midfielders in the game.