Robbie Deans has confirmed forgotten Wallaby Timana Tahu has progressed in the queue for a Test jersey following Lote Tuqiri's axing, but says there are no guarantees the former Kangaroo will break free of the club rugby ranks this season.
Prior to Tuqiri's dumping on Wednesday night over what is believed to be a breach of the players' code of conduct, Deans repeatedly said it was a matter of if - not when - the 67-Test veteran would be back in Wallabies colours.
But the coach was more measured when asked to rate Tahu's chances of a Tri Nations call-up after he was named in an extended 30-man squad on Thursday.
"There's no guarantees around that," Deans said of Tahu's immediate selection hopes.
"He is working really hard Timana. I guess from a mathematical perspective his odds have gone up because there's one less back, but aside from that there's no guarantees."
Tahu and Tuqiri were the only members of the Wallabies squad to contest the June internationals who were overlooked for all four matches on form.
But Deans urged the Waratahs and West Harbour centre to continue to push his case for selection both on the training paddock and back in club land.
"The critical thing is that every player just keeps pulling on the reins and ensuring that when that call comes they do well," he said.
"Because there's nothing worse than not doing well when you're out there - you'd be better not to be out there."
One player certain to feature heavily throughout the Tri Nations is shock selection Will Genia.
The 21-year-old Reds scrumhalf was the bolter in Deans' squad after he was named as Luke Burgess' deputy ahead of Josh Valentine.
But the unpredictable coach revealed Genia, a veteran of 26 Super matches for the Reds, has been in his plans for several months.
"Obviously (his selection comes) off the back of his Super rugby form, he wasn't available to us for the domestic series through (a finger) injury, but he's recovering well and is obviously able to take his place now," Deans said.
"It's unfortunate for Josh Valentine but he has had the benefit of having some time with us so that background will be good for him and obviously it's a long year."
"But Will played some very good Super rugby and obviously if he had have been fit was the bloke that we would have considered in the first instance."
"His last outing was against the Brumbies and he scored two tries that day as well as distributing effectively so, he's a bloke who we believe will add a lot to our game."
Wycliff Palu is the only other addition to the squad having recovered from a hand injury.
His return is a major boost for the Wallabies who will be without flanker Rocky Elsom with bone-bruising of the knee for up to two more matches.
"He's starting to make headway," Deans said of Elsom. "It's just the nature of the injury it's bruising of the bone. It would have been better to have broken it to be fair."
"He played on it which didn't help but he's starting to turn the corner now ... and once he's able to become active I'm sure the progress will be rapid."
The Wallabies will reassemble in Sydney on Tuesday for a four-day camp to commence preparations for the Bledisloe Cup opener in Auckland.