Veteran flanker Phil Waugh is adamant his Test career is far from over despite his rapid slide down the pecking order this season.
Waugh was Robbie Deans' third choice openside flanker behind long time rival George Smith and young tyro David Pocock during the recent Tri Nations campaign.
He was then a controversial omission from the 35-man spring-tour squad, effectively pushing him behind versatile Western Force backrower Matt Hodgson in the queue of openside flankers.
But while many players in a similar position would have already raised the white flag, the no-nonsense Waratahs skipper is already plotting his return.
"No not at all," Waugh, who began pre-season training with the Waratahs on Monday, said when asked if he feared his international career is over.
"The only thing I can control is how I play and I'm really looking forward to 2010 with the Waratahs."
"You've got to back yourself, I always back myself and I can only control the way I play I can't control the way (rivals) play."
Mystery still surrounds his omission from the Grand Slam tour with his failure to recover from a leg injury suffered in the Shute Shield grand final the official reason given for his non-selection.
But the 79-Test veteran insists he was fully fit and therefore would have been available for selection for the tour opener against the All Blacks.
"I was 100 percent fit about four weeks ago so I'm looking forward to getting into training (with the Waratahs), he said on Monday.
Asked if he was ruled out prior to the naming of the squad last month, even Waugh appeared confused over the circumstances surrounding his axing.
"That's a good question, I think I was ruled out before it was selected or it was selected and then it was ruled out - I'm not too sure but that's just the call that was made and I respect that," he said.
While the pain of being dropped still lingers, the 30-year-old welcomed the prospect of his first full pre-season in eight years.
"I was very disappointed, I would have loved to have been on the Grand Slam trip but in saying that, whilst the disappointment's there it's refreshing to be back here and training," he said.
"Without doubt I was disappointed, everyone knows I was disappointed but that's the call they made and I respect that and the guys have been playing some good football so obviously it's good to watch them perform the way they have been."
Like most rugby fans, Waugh was up in the early hours of Monday morning watching the 20-all draw against Ireland - a match he believes the Wallabies should have won.
The intensely competitive flanker dismissed suggestions he found it difficult to watch David Pocock excel in his man-of-the-match performance, predicting Smith would not relinquish his starting spot without a fight in the coming seasons.
"I think George has been playing very well," Waugh said.
"I think he was probably pretty disappointed last week with his game against England but I was surprised that he didn't get on there in the end (against Ireland) particularly in those tight clashes at the end of the game where experience really matters."
"I'm sure he'll get a run this week against Scotland and he'll do what George does and perform well."
"In saying that I think it's great that David Pocock's played well in a Test match. I think he needed a strong game and he had a strong game."