Rugby: Smith under the pump to retain spot

Wallabies flanker George Smith is under pressure to retain his spot for next week's test against the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Champion Wallabies flanker George Smith remains upbeat about the upcoming spring tour despite admitting he's feeling the pressure to retain his starting spot for the opening test against New Zealand.

Speculation is growing the two-time John Eales Medallist could be a shock omission from the starting side to face the All Blacks In Tokyo on October 31, with David Pocock, who has only started in three of his 11 tests, to take his place.

Smith ran out with what looked a B side at the Wallabies training camp in Sydney on Tuesday, while he was surprisingly replaced late in his last test in Wellington even though he was captain at the time.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has downplayed the significance of his training sides, insisting no selection decisions have been made yet, but Smith admits he can't afford to be complacent about his place in the side heading into the tour.

"I definitely don't feel complacent in the way I prepare for things and I think that's the way everyone approaches their games and preparation," he said.

"I guess you saw the makeup of the teams yesterday but the team isn't selected until next week so we'll wait until then.

"In the teams we are training in, you just have to make sure you're doing your job and your role within that team."

Deans has made several significant changes to his side in his time as coach and has made it clear that past reputations count for little at the selection table.

Smith, a veteran of 105 tests, indicated he was ready to fight for his position and said his spirit would not be broken even if he was dropped for the first game.

"I'm always upbeat, I'm always a happy fellow around camp," he said.

"You definitely won't see me moping around if I wasn't selected.

"I think it shows the character of the person when you do work hard to get back in the team if you are not selected within the starting 15, but my focus isn't on that right now, my focus is to improve as a player and making sure I contribute to the team."

Among other possible changes being floated are returns for Adam Ashley-Cooper and Digby Ioane, with Ryan Cross tipped to come in in place of the injured Stirling Mortlock.

League-convert Cross would not be drawn on his chances of winning a starting spot, saying few players in the team had any idea of where they stood in terms of selection.

"Nobody really knows where they stand so it's very good, we're training hard and it's very competitive at training so everyone is on their toes and ready to go," Cross said.

"It does (create tension) but that's good, people are fighting for spots. "You want to play for your country, you don't want to be sitting in the grandstands."

- AAP