PHIL WAUGH loves playing Shute Shield grand finals but he regards this year's title decider between Sydney University and Randwick as a vital opportunity to shore up his selection future in the Wallabies line-up.

However, unlike some critics this week, he doesn't see the challenge as being to save his international career.

It was suggested this week that the outlook for Waugh may not be rosy following his failure to get game time off the bench against New Zealand in Brisbane last Saturday. Back-rower Richard Brown had a stellar debut when he came on for the injured Wycliff Palu against the All Blacks, and there has been talk that David Pocock will be named in the 33-man squad to tour Europe.

Waugh was "disappointed" to read speculation that he might miss out on the tour. "Playing for the national team and the Wallabies means the world to me. I will just keep battling to try and get that starting position back. Hopefully, I can do that in the not too distant future," he said yesterday.

"Every time you go out on the field you are staking claim for whatever your endeavours are. And for me this is a big game. It doesn't matter what level you are playing at, you still have got to perform at the highest level.

"I have no grudges about not getting on [the field]. It is about the team winning, and that is what the coach felt was the right mix at the time."

When Waugh plays the Shute Shield grand final at Concord Oval tomorrow, he hopes to play the full 80 minutes, and with Wallabies coach Robbie Deans due to be watching from the stands, he also realises he could rekindle his chances of appearing in the Wallabies starting XV on the end of season tour.

"I'm really looking forward to getting out there, hopefully playing 80 minutes and playing really well," Waugh said.

Tomorrow's decider will be Waugh's sixth Shute Shield grand final appearance. The Waratahs captain played for University in four straight title deciders from 1999 to 2002 and again in 2005. The only victory he experienced was in 2001 when the Students defeated Eastwood.

Waugh laughed when told how fellow Waratah and University back-rower Dean Mumm last week made a joking reference about his appearance being his "traditional finals run".

Waugh was quick to clarify that this was not his only appearance for University this year - he played for them in round 12 on June 21 when they beat Manly.

While he was to have been picked on the University bench, Waugh has now been named at No.7 after flanker Jono Jenkins was ruled out with concussion sustained in last Saturday's preliminary final against Eastern Suburbs.

In his favourite number, Waugh won't take a step back, as he warned: "I prepare for this game as I would a Test. Just looking at the teams, both sides are putting out there - it is a high quality game."

THE GRAND FINAL TEAMS

Jerry Yanuyanutawa

Nathan Charles

Laurie Weeks

Al Campbell

Will Caldwell

Dean Mumm

Phil Waugh

Tim Davidson [c]

Nick Haydon

Daniel Halangahu

Peter Playford

Leo Afeaki

Mitch Inman

Ed Jenkins

Nathan Trist

RANDWICK

1

2 Adam Freier

3 Lotu Taukeiaho

4 Steve Brennan

5 Mark Chisholm

6 Chris Houston

7 Rodney Voullaire

8 Stephen Hoiles [c]

9 Josh Valentine

10 Tim Walsh

11 Ratu Nasiganiyavi

12 Dane Inman

13 Morgan Turinui

14 Bernie Orbell

15 Matt Nethery