Payto and Panda: Deal almost done for Smith to return

THE ARU is confident ongoing contract wrangling won't prevent George Smith being named in the Wallabies' first 25-man squad on Sunday.

THE ARU is confident ongoing contract wrangling won't prevent George Smith being named in the Wallabies' first 25-man squad on Sunday.

It had appeared all the hard work had been done to have Smith eligible for his second shot at the British and Irish Lions, after the veteran flanker got the green light from Japanese club Suntory to extend his loan deal at the Brumbies until August.

But with just three days until Robbie Deans announces the majority of his Wallabies squad for the Lions series, ARU boss Bill Pulver revealed yesterday some stumbling blocks still stood in the way of Smith's Wallaby comeback.

"I am clearly hoping George will be eligible, there are actually a fair few hurdles you have to get over," Pulver said.

"We are getting over them one at a time. We are not completely over them but I would have to say I am quietly confident, but not 100 per cent."

Speculation had centred around the ARU being unable to nail down insurance for Smith's lucrative Japanese contract.

But it is understood the only remaining "hurdle" for the ARU to jump centres on reaching agreement with Smith over payment for a potential Wallaby call-up. Smith is voluntarily being paid peanuts at the Brumbies, and his camp is pushing for a fraction more than just Test match payments if he goes up a level.

There was some consternation around yesterday if Smith earned selection but an agreement hadn't been reached by Sunday, the 32-year-old's name could be left off Deans' squad list.

But the ARU last night gave Smith fans a collective sigh of relief, telling us negotiations were now very advanced and all will be sweet on the contract front.

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MICHAEL Cheika and Richard Graham are both set to be approached by the Argentinian Rugby Union to the become the next coach of the Pumas.

And if that wasn't heady enough praise for the Aussie coaches, the identity of the man who recommended them should finish the job: Sir Graham Henry, of Bledisloe and World Cup winning fame.

Reports in Argentina this week confirmed Test coach Santiago Phelan would be standing down at the end of the Rugby Championship.

Former Pumas skipper Gus Pichot approached Henry who is a coaching consultant to the UAR for guidance on who they should pursue as coach, and the Kiwi said a Super Rugby coach would be best. He reportedly nominated four men: Cheika, Graham, Jamie Joseph and John Kirwan.

Given Henry is also on staff with Kirwan's current employers the Blues that last one should make for interesting conversations coming up in Auckland.

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ROBBIE Deans gave Australia's under-20s players a rocket yesterday, telling them not to underestimate the difficulty of next month's IRB under-20s World Cup in France.

Australia was humiliated at last year's tournament, finishing eighth, and that performance was one of the factors behind the sacking of high-performance manager David Nucifora earlier this year.

Because of that lowly finish, Australia has been grouped with tournament favourites New Zealand in the pool stages.

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THEY were sworn enemies last weekend but Bryan Habana can't wait to be reunited with Drew Mitchell at Toulon later this year, after advising the Waratahs winger on his switch.

"Drew contacted me a while ago about my thoughts on Toulon and moving over," Habana said.

"I'd had an experience with Drew and Matt Giteau back in 2009 when we were part of the Baa Baas set up that beat the All Blacks at Twickenham, it was probably one of the best weeks of my life.

"My question to Drew was, what were his goals and motivations in life. Had he felt that he'd achieved what he wanted to achieve in Australia.

"He has been pretty unlucky with injuries in the last couple of years. Whatever decision he makes he's got to be at ease with.

"I was pretty excited when he told me he'd be coming to Toulon."

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THE British & Irish Lions players were measured for their tailored suits and garments this week ahead of their Australian tour, and there were some startled designers.

England centre Manu Tuilagi has the largest collar size in the squad at 52cm - the average British man's collar is 40cm.

And Welsh prop Adam Jones has the biggest chest in the squad, measuring 131cm, a full 30cm bigger than the average.

The squad will be kitted out by designer Thomas Pink, who will produce 18 custom-made items for each player, including a "signature black velvet smoking jacket" for evening functions.

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IF you're mad keen on the business of rugby, sit down, take a deep breath and/or brace yourself.

A big-hitting panel of rugby's top thinkers will be talking on the future of Australian rugby next week in the Sydney CBD in a Sports Business Club Pane event.

ARU boss Bill Pulver, SANZAR boss Greg Peter and Waratahs board member Al Baxter will be among the speakers.

Check out @sportsbizinsider on Twitter for detail.