Lions: Wallabies boss preparing for 'greatest challenge'

World Cup-winning Australia coach Rod Macqueen sees the three-Test series against the Lions as one of his side's biggest challenges.

Macqueen has enjoyed World Cup, Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup glory as Wallabies supremo.

But he knows he can guarantee himself a spectacular send-off before relinquishing the reins next September by plotting the downfall of the Lions.

"We are really looking forward to the challenge," said Macqueen, who has called up centre Nathan Grey and flanker Owen Finegan for Saturday's first Test in Brisbane.

"We know that this is perhaps our greatest challenge, and we have trained accordingly with that in mind.

"The Lions have had a very good preparation, with six games under their belt since they've been out here. We've had one (against New Zealand Maori), and that is a very telling statistic."

Grey, in outstanding form when Australia A beat the Lions eight days ago, has been chosen above Elton Flatley, who drops to the bench.

"They are the sort of tough decisions that we like to have, because it means those players have been in form," Macqueen added.