AAP | March 1, 2009

WALLABIES captain Stirling Mortlock has no qualms about a return NSW-Queensland clash in the middle of the Test season.

Waratahs and Reds officials are working on a July fixture, which would fall between Australia's Tests against Italy and France and the Tri-Nations series, as the sequel to next Friday's interstate Super 14 clash in Sydney.

As derby fever grips the tournament, former Wallabies coach John Connolly has also called for a rugby state of origin series to plug gaps in the calendar.

National coach Robbie Deans is not a believer in cotton-wooling players, and Mortlock backed that stance.

"Footy players like to play games, that's certainly the case with everyone I've had to deal with," he said.

"If you live life thinking that injuries and negativity's going to dominate you, then it probably will.

"We want to play footy, we want to play high quality matches and I think the more the merrier."

World class flanker Rocky Elsom has flagged his return to Australia in time for the Tri-Nations after a stint in Ireland, with speculation he could return to his home state of Queensland and turn out for the Reds in July.

"I don't think it's as much of an issue where he plays as long as we get him back in Australia, that's the really important thing," Mortlock said.

"Rocky was in exceptional form for us last time he played for the Wallabies and to get him back is a real positive."