Sawt Falasteen - Wallabies coach Schmidt hails 'leader' Gordon ahead of Lions tour

The Lions play Argentina in Dublin next week before heading to Australia for six tour matches and a three-Test series in July-August.

A media report last week said Gordon was set to be named skipper and Schmidt sung his praises on a visit to Western Force's training hub in Perth.

But the New Zealander was coy when asked about the prospect of the 31-year-old NSW Waratah taking the armband.

"Jake, he's one of the leaders in the group," Schmidt said.

"So is Nic White... and Tate McDermott has been a former (Wallabies) captain, so of the nines we had last year, they're all leaders within the group.

"Jake is a really good skill-set, mature player, very nice kicking game, one of the sharper passers around, and he is utterly committed when he's on the grass," he added.

"His ability to cover corners and make tackles, be involved in the physical stuff, he's a multi-purpose sort of player."

No.8 Harry Wilson was most recently captain, leading the side in seven of Australia's last eight Tests.

But he is only just back after missing five Super Rugby games with a broken arm and is not seen as an automatic selection.

Schmidt will name his squad over the next two weeks, before the Wallabies play their first Test of the season against Fiji on July 6.

The opening Lions Test is at Brisbane on July 19, with two more internationals in Melbourne (July 26) and Sydney (August 2) to follow.

Schmidt pinpointed the Lions coaching staff, led by Andy Farrell, who was his assistant when he was Ireland boss, as one of their key strengths.

"I know a lot of those guys very well... they'll be well coached, well organised and they have strength in depth," he said.

"They can play in so many different ways, they can be really physical, they can be square and come at you, they can get you on the edges.

"We're going to have to be really well prepared."

A.Suleiman--SF-PST