'Quade welcome, Smith not an option'

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Different strokes ... Smith (L) is unlikely to face the Lions while Cooper could return. Source:AAP

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans insists Quade Cooper's infamous public spray will not affect his chances of returning to the Test squad, but says George Smith is not an option for the British and Irish Lions unless there is a change of protocol.

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Deans joined Rugby HQ host Nick McArdle for a wide-ranging interview during the week, where the Wallabies boss confirmed plans for the pre-Lions camp were well underway.

Much has been made of the task that lies ahead for Australia, with the Lions having several warm-up fixtures to settle on their Test line-up while the Wallabies will rely on a three-week training camp.

And while Deans said the squad would just have to "make it work", there appears to be next to no chance of veteran flanker Smith stepping into the role vacated by the injured David Pocock.

"It was typical George – he's a class act," Deans said of Smith's jaw-dropping Super Rugby return.

"There's not too many blokes who could come from a competition that's clearly at a much lesser level in Japan and look like he'd never left.

"He showed the class that he has and remarkably, not only capable, but he's also resilient athlete - he hasn't had many injuries which is indication of getting yourself into good position."

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Smith's Wallabies claims were obvious as he slipped straight back into the intensity of Super Rugby with ease, the 110-Test veteran securing a number of turnovers and producing a couple of thumping hits.

Still, it appears rising stars Michael Hooper and Liam Gill will now fight out the No.7 spot – that is unless the Australian Rugby Union alters its long-running contract policy.

"Well there's two key things that would need to change," Deans said.

"One of them is individual, which is personal to George and his contractual circumstance. He's currently contracted to Suntory, which means then we'd need a secondary change which would be a change in protocol if you like.

"Currently, we are unable to select foreign players. Essentially, George is a foreign player - given that he is contracted to Suntory.

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"So they (Suntory) either release him from that contract and he becomes a possibility - but they're not going to want to do that - or conversely the ARU says 'well despite the fact you're contracted to Suntory we're prepared to consider you'.

"But right now he's not an option and that's where it sits."

The path back to the Wallabies squad appears a little less rocky for Cooper, with Deans confirming his infamous "toxic environment" comments were a thing of the past.

"Every time you gather a group of people you've got human dynamics and that is the only constant in many ways," Deans said of expectations Cooper may face an uneasy return to the national set-up. 

"So it's a part of the key requirements to have a functioning group to deal with that stuff.

"Quade's always been welcome and he's been a part of that group. Obviously there's different pieces of history … that's just part of the terrain.

"He has the same opportunity as every other player to earn his spot, earn respect … and we'll go from there."

Cooper, however, faces a much tougher task to regain the No.10 jersey with Deans admitting the playmaking role could be filled by any number of suitors.

The Wallabies coach isn't bothered by the fact no player has managed to nail down the position since Rugby World Cup 2011, saying everyone lacked experience when it came to the Lions.

"We haven't had a lot of continuity but that's going to be the case across the board," he said.

"That might be an advantage in so far as he won't be exposed in terms of lack of experience at this level because a Lions series is the deep end.

"Wherever we finish up we've just got to make it work."

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