NSW Waratahs captain Phil Waugh will put an unclear future out of his mind when he plays his 100th Super rugby game on Friday night, but will begin weighing up his options for 2010 in the next two weeks.

Waugh will become the third Waratah to reach the milestone when his side takes on the Highlanders at the Sydney Football Stadium, following in the footsteps of Chris Whitaker (107) and David Lyons (100).

The skipper, who has courageously emerged with a bloodied head from both of NSW's wins so far this campaign, is off contract after 2009 and uncertainty surrounds the amount of money the Australian Rugby Union would be prepared to spend on topping up the 29-year-old's contract.

The 77-Test Wallaby veteran's place in Australia's openside flanker pecking order is perceived to have slipped with Wallabies coach Robbie Deans' preference for starting George Smith and the emergence of Western Force No.7 David Pocock.

That could suggest to Waugh it is time to pursue a lucrative overseas contract.

"I'm just focusing on tomorrow night and I'll have a look at it (the future) in the next couple of weeks," Waugh told reporters on Thursday.

"I just keep that out of my mind. I've sort of taken it one game at a time ever since I started so ... it's about playing against the Highlanders and winning the game.

"When you come off, you're icing up the bumps and bruises and getting ready for the Reds game (next week), so that's just the way I've operated."

Waugh's situation has prompted debate over whether Australia's Super 14 franchises should receive salary concessions for long-serving players in their contracting protocols.

Understandably, Waugh seems to be in favour of such a move, which ARU high performance manager David Nucifora said could be discussed as part of the next collective bargaining agreement for players.

"It would be nice wouldn't it, with no cap on it," Waugh joked.

"I think further down the track it's probably something that the people higher than me will address."

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said talks had begun in an attempt to keep his skipper in Sydney.

"There's some negotiations are going and we'll work as hard as we can to explore every opportunity to keep Phil here moving forward," Hickey said.

"Our focus and Phil's focus will be on winning the game.

"It's a great milestone to achieve but it won't be a distraction for us."

Waugh, whose heart and toughness have inspired teammates since his Super 12 debut against the Stormers in 2000, is unsure how many years are left in his battered body.

"I haven't thought about it," he said. "I feel really good at the moment.

"That can change pretty quick in rugby so it's just a matter of making sure I keep feeling fresh when I wake up."

NSW will attempt to continue their unbeaten start to the Super 14 season against the winless Dunedin side and set a new record of nine consecutive home victories on Friday.

Reserve forward Scott Fava did not train on Thursday but is expected to play, while No.8 Wycliff Palu will play his 50th game for NSW.

NSW: Sam Norton-Knight, Lachie Turner, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Lote Tuqiri, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Ben Mowen, Will Caldwell, Dean Mumm, Al Baxter, Adam Freier, Benn Robinson. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Dan Palmer, Chris Thomson, Scott Fava, Brett Sheehan, Daniel Halangahu, Timana Tahu.

Highlanders: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Jason Shoemark (capt), Johnny Leota, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Daniel Bowden, Sean Romans, Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Clint Newland, David Hall, Chris King. Res: Jason Rutledge, Anthony Perenise, George Naoupu, Tim Boys, Scott Cowan, Mathew Berquist, Kendrick Lynn.

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