Incoming Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has one eye on the Bledisloe Cup and the other on the World Cup as he weighs up the way forward for Australian rugby.
McKenzie, in his transitional twin role as Queensland and Australian coach, maintained on the eve of the Reds' Super Rugby showdown with NSW that he had an open mind and wouldn't be rushing into choosing his first Wallabies line-up for next month's bumper clash with the All Blacks in Sydney.
But he admitted there could well be some fresh faces when the dust settles after the conclusion of the Super Rugby competition in three weeks.
"As much as there's players we know, there's ones we don't know yet so we've got to make sure that they're coming on line at the right time," he said.
"So to understand that space, you need to get out there, talk to the coaches, find out where they're at on the development scale, have one eye on the World Cup two years away and where some of these guys are going to be in two years' time.
"That's part of the equation, but you've got to live in the moment too. It's a complicated exercise."
Quade Cooper is certain to earn a recall under McKenzie's watch, even if the new Test coach won't say so directly.
"All bets are off at the moment," McKenzie said.
"I'll have to have a good look. Luckily everyone's playing this week. Everyone that's fit is playing anyway.
"There's a few guys out there who are injured and I've got to get to the bottom of all of that, we're people are up to.
"There's some guys who have been carrying injuries. So the relative health of everyone is in play. Performances are in play.
"I haven't written anybody's names down in relation to the Wallabies because I think we'll just run the Super competition out and see who are in form and then go from there."
But while Cooper is back in the mix, McKenzie admits he can take or leave incumbent Wallabies five-eighth James O'Connor.
With the Melbourne Rebels cutting ties with the wayward No.10 this week, O'Connor could be forced overseas - or possibly even to the NRL - if he's unable to strike a suitable deal with his former club the Western Force.
Although he wouldn't rule O'Connor out of Test reckoning, McKenzie said the 23-year-old only had himself to blame for being unwanted and out of favour.
"It's late in the season and teams have committed their funds. The salary cap comes into play," he said.
"That's what happens. Some people leave their negotiations late and it works for them.
"But if you leave it too late, sometimes there's no spots."
McKenzie was typically pragmatic when asked if he was concerned about the prospect of losing O'Connor to an overseas club.
"At any point in time, any player can go offshore. That's a decision they make," he said.
"There's a bunch of players who are already heading offshore and some of those players I've got time for, but they've already made their decisions.
"So I think my job is to focus on the players who are staying and putting their hand up to play.
"Those who are there and who want to participate in the growth of the game in promoting the game in Australian rugby 24-7, that's where I'll spend my time."
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