WALLABIES centre Pat McCabe was playing club rugby on Saturday, but ACT playmaker Christian Lealiifano admits he's motivated by the prospect of his teammate leapfrogging him from the Brumbies bench and into Australian contention for the British and Irish Lions series.
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Brumbies coach Jake White has continued to ease McCabe back into the Super Rugby competition from a broken neck, using the 21-Test centre from the bench and opting for the in-form Lealiifano at No.12.
But rugby commentators, including former Wallabies great Mark Ella, have touted that Australian coach Robbie Deans may prefer the robust and experienced McCabe at inside centre for the Lions series in June and July.
Lealiifano said he wanted to cement the No.12 jersey with the Brumbies, admitting the friendly rivalry with McCabe was beneficial as he strives for an international debut.
''The motivation is for both of us, so we've got to help each other as much as we can,'' Lealiifano said.
''It is a weird dynamic [with Wallabies selection] and I'm glad I'm not the coach … all we can do is worry about our own games and the best way to function for the team.
''We don't really talk about it too much, it's sort of an unspoken thing and you just know he's knocking on the door and itching to play.
''That means you've got someone there motivating me to keep improving and we're helping each other.''
The Brumbies will ramp up their finals bid when they return to action against arch-rivals the NSW Waratahs on Saturday night.
McCabe started his Test bid when he played for Wests in the John I Dent Cup on Saturday. It was the 25-year-old's first chance at extended game time since making his comeback from a career-threatening broken neck and a hamstring problem.
The Brumbies' strong Super Rugby form has limited McCabe to just one game in the starting XV this season, stuck on the bench behind a blossoming back line.
Instead of viewing it as a head-to-head battle for Brumbies and Wallabies duties, Lealiifano and McCabe are working together.
''I know Patty is itching to get on and play, I want to see him on there, too,'' Lealiifano said.
''I know it's frustrating because we both want to be playing in one position … but to see him working so hard and putting the team first is amazing.
''He's a quality person and a quality team man who's proven himself [at Test level] … he always puts the team first and that's motivation for us both.''
Just 12 months ago Lealiifano and McCabe formed a strong playmaker combination as the Brumbies' flyhalf and inside centre when Matt Toomua ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.
Lealiifano was on the cusp of Wallabies selection last season before he dislocated his ankle and his season was cruelly ended.
He could get his chance in the once-in-12-years series against the Lions and his ability to play at inside-centre, flyhalf or fullback make him an attractive Wallabies prospect.
But Lealiifano is on a mission to stamp himself as a one-position player and doesn't want to be a victim of versatility.
''I'm really enjoying focusing on one position, I don't want to be a jack of all trades and master of none. I just want to master one position at the moment and that's No.12 for me this year.''