But 1999 World Cup-winner Rod Macqueen wants the code-hopper to commit to rugby long term before he's given an opportunity to take on the Lions in a three-Test series.

Folau's selection looms as one of the most contentious in coach Robbie Deans' 25-man squad to be named on Sunday. He will lead the NSW Waratahs into battle against the ACT Brumbies in a blockbuster derby at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night and lock horns with his biggest rival for a Wallabies berth - Jesse Mogg.

Folau's ARU and Waratahs contract expires at the end of the year.

Brumbies coach Jake White said it would be an ''indictment'' on the Wallabies jersey if Folau got a chance to play the Lions and walked away from rugby at the end of the season.

And while Eddie Jones, Bob Dwyer and John Connolly all say Folau is the man to fill the No.15 jersey, Macqueen wants a commitment.

''There are a lot of 'what ifs', one of them is that as Jake White has rightly pointed out, what message does it send if someone like Folau gets in and was not committed to rugby?'' Macqueen said.

''I think that has to be taken into account. But it will also have a lot to do with the way Robbie Deans wants to play the game.

''I think [Folau] is an excellent player. If he was committed to rugby, I think he's a great asset with his skills. He's fast, he offloads well and he's still learning the game.

''Yes, I'd like to see him commit to rugby. I think it's very important and the message it sends.''

Jones, Dwyer and Connolly backed Folau to make his Test debut ahead of Mogg when they named their Wallabies XV to The Canberra Times.

Connolly also believes Kurtley Beale - who is undergoing alcohol rehabilitation - could come into contention for the No.15 spot.

The trio also backed Quade Cooper to be the flyhalf despite speculation he's still on the outer with Wallabies team management, while Dwyer was the only coach to pick Brumbies skipper Ben Mowen.

Macqueen declined to pencil in a team out of respect for Deans.

Connolly said selection in the forwards - in particular the front row - was dependant on the Lions game style and which props they picked.

Dwyer believes Folau can be as good as Kiwis superstar Sonny Bill Williams if he stays in rugby.

Dwyer, who coached Australia to a 1991 World Cup triumph, also backed Mogg as a bolter in the squad.

Folau has the X-factor attacking game with an ability to bust tackles and offload, but has signed only a one-year deal to stay in Super Rugby.

Mogg has made the rapid rise from club rugby to Wallabies contention, has a superb kicking game and is the quickest player at the Brumbies.

Neither has Test experience, but Dwyer said both were capable of making the step up.

''I'd pick people I think can do the job, experience and age don't equate,'' Dwyer said. ''Experience means, 'can he do things well when he's subjected to pressure?'

''Mogg and Folau have similar qualities … they can both score a try when not much is on. Folau can score a try when nothing is on. But Jesse Mogg's defensive game is better. I wouldn't mind having one in the starting side and one on the bench.''

The Brumbies and Waratahs will meet in a crucial Super Rugby contest and a Wallabies selection trial in Sydney. Both teams are desperate for victory as they fight for a place in the play-offs. If the Brumbies win, they will keep their place at the top of the ladder and potentially end the Waratahs' finals dream.

If the Waratahs win, the Brumbies will come back to the pack and NSW will stay alive in the race for a spot in the top six.

Team success will come first. But individual battles will add extra spice to the contest.

The two teams had the highest representation of players at a Wallabies logistics camp last month and are expected to make up the bulk of Deans' initial squad.

The Brumbies boast rising talent with plenty of players pushing for their first international cap in the series against the Lions. The Waratahs ooze Test experience with incumbent Wallabies in almost every position.

The individual match-ups across the field provide a tantalising prospect for Deans before settling on his star players.

It's Mogg v Folau, George Smith v Michael Hooper, Ben Mowen v Dave Dennis, Joseph Tomane v Drew Mitchell, Stephen Moore v Tatafu Polota-Nau and Ben Alexander v Benn Robinson.

After a blistering start to the season, the Brumbies did their Wallabies hopes no favours with a poor performance against the Canterbury Crusaders two weeks ago.

But Jones said the young Brumbies had a perfect opportunity to launch themselves back into Test calculations. ''These are the games where you can see who can step up, who can handle Test intensity,'' he said.

BOB DWYER

1. Benn Robinson

2. Stephen Moore

3. James Slipper

4. James Horwill

5. Sitaleki Timani

6. Ben Mowen

7. Michael Hooper

8. Wycliff Palu

9. Will Genia

10. Quade Cooper

11. Digby Ioane

12. Christian Lealiifano

13. Adam Ashley-Cooper

14. James O’Connor

15. Israel Folau

JOHN CONNOLLY

1. Ben Alexander

2. Stephen Moore

3. Sekope Kepu

4. James Horwill

5. Rob Simmons

6. Scott Higginbotham

7. George Smith

8. Wycliff Palu

9. Will Genia

10. Quade Cooper

11. Drew Mitchell

12. Ben Tapuai

13. Adam Ashley-Cooper

14. James O’Connor

15. Israel Folau

EDDIE JONES

1. Ben Alexander

2. Stephen Moore

3. Dan Palmer

4. James Horwill

5. Rob Simmons

6. Dave Dennis

7. George Smith

8. Wycliff Palu

9. Will Genia

10. Quade Cooper

11. Joseph Tomane

12. Christian Lealiifano

13. Adam Ashley-Cooper

14. Digby Ioane

15. Israel Folau

ROD KAFER

1. Benn Robinson

2. Stephen Moore

3. Dan Palmer

4. Rob Simmons

5. James Horwill

6. Dave Dennis

7. George Smith

8. Ben Mowen/Scott Higginbotham

9. Will Genia

10. Quade Cooper

11. Digby Ioane

12. James O’Connor

13. Adam Ashley-Cooper

14. Israel Folau

15. Kurtley Beale/Jesse Mogg