AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans acknowledges he faces a tough decision over recalling Wallabies legend George Smith to improve his side’s breakdown fortunes.

Captain Sam Warburton played the game of his life in the British and Irish Lions’ 16-15 defeat on Saturday, the tourists trumping the hosts in the loose at Melbourne.

Unfortunately for the Lions, openside Warburton will miss Saturday’s crucial third Test after a serious hamstring tear in that setback which saw the Aussies square the series.

His opposite number last week Michael Hooper is not a shoo-in for this weekend, Deans considering bringing back Smith, a thorn in the Lions’ side 12 years ago.

History is in danger of repeating itself, the 32-year-old being one of the Wallabies’ heroes when they won the cliffhanging third Test in Sydney to clinch the 2001 series against the Lions 2-1.

The veteran No 7 has not played for six weeks due to a knee injury but Deans has conceded he might well take a gamble on playing him in such a monumental game.

Despite Smith’s lack of match practice the Australia boss has rushed him back into the squad.

Asked if he faced a difficult call at openside, he replied: “Absolutely, which is great... As happens, the Lions responded to our performance in the first Test and they really targeted it, particularly in the wide breakdowns, and they put us under a lot of pressure.”