Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will consider recalling Phil Waugh for Saturday night’s second Test against France as the NSW captain’s long-running battle with George Smith for the openside flanker’s role continues.

Waugh made a big impact after replacing injured No.8 Wycliff Palu at halftime of Australia’s 34-13 victory over France in the first Test in Sydney, helping the Wallabies turn a narrow four-point lead into a record-breaking 21-point triumph.

Deans, though, today all but ruled out using Smith and Waugh in tandem – as former coach Eddie Jones often did during his tenure – even if Palu is ruled out of the return bout in Brisbane with a shoulder injury.

“It’s a possibility but it’s not likely,” Deans said.

More likely a scenario is Deans promoting Waugh and relegating Smith to the bench, with the Wallabies’ first foreign coach eager to have his entire squad adequately match fit for Australia’s Tri Nations opener against South Africa in Perth on July 19.

“Phil’s done really well in the game time he’s had,” Deans said.

“That will be part of our consideration – keeping people in game time. That’s something that we’ll want to consider to ensure that we don’t get caught short.

“Whether that’s achieved through our program or the Australia A program, those will be some of the contemplations that we’ll be having.”

Palu and winger Lote Tuqiri, who last just 29 minutes before succumbing to a knee injury, both pulled up better than Deans initially expected today, but nevertheless remain 50-50 prospects of backing.

“The news on them was encouraging,” Deans said.

“At first, in my mind, I thought they would not be able to be considered. It appears they haven’t been ruled out yet, so there’s a possibility they’ll be available for selection.

“Lote has essentially got a little bit of laxity in his knee. He’s previously had a posterior cruciate rupture, so he doesn’t have a posterior cruciate ligament, which has provided a little bit of laxity in his joint.

“The doc thought he might have had a medial strain as a result but, essentially, he jammed it up and it wouldn’t free up within the game.

“But it settled quite quickly, so he’s hopeful it might not be too much of an issue.”

“Cliffy had some discomfort in his shoulder. He’s had a precautionary x-ray. There’s nothing in there which will give prevent him from pushing on.”

Deans was hopeful the duo would be able to train by Thursday but said, if they were ruled out, their replacements would come from within the 30-man squad initially picked for the Wallabies’ three Tests against Ireland and France.

That would mean Adam Ashley-Cooper would almost certainly start for Tuqiri, with Digby Ioane or Lachie Turner – who both starred today in Australia A’s 50-13 rout of Fiji at Ballymore – to gain a bench spot.

Deciding on a back-row replacement for Palu would prove more troublesome, with some rejigging required and Dean Mumm, Stephen Hoiles and Richard Brown all coming into consideration.

One player definitely out this week is prop Matt Dunning, who underwent minor clean-up surgery today after missing last night’s match with a calf injury.

Dunning developed an infection in the leg, but Deans said he would be right for the Tri Nations.

© AAP 2012

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