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Rogers given tilt as pivot
By Wayne Smith
October 7, 2005
MAT Rogers is to get his wish with Australia coach Eddie Jones confirming the Test full back will be given another chance to establish himself at five-eighth on next month's tour of Europe.
Pivotal tour ... Rogers to get a chance to secure the No.10 jumper. Pic: AAP
The dual international was pitchforked into the playmaking position for last month's Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand at Eden Park.
It seemingly came after a late change of heart by Jones who had strongly hinted earlier in the week that New South Wales Waratahs five-eighth Lachlan Mackay would fill the spot in the absence of the Wallabies' three senior No.10s, Steve Larkham, Matt Giteau and Elton Flatley.
Jones' reticence was understandable given that 29-year-old Rogers had last played regularly at five-eighth as a teenager. There were, as well, justifiable concerns about his ability to distribute the ball to his outside supports, a trait he all too rarely has displayed at full back.
But the experiment succeeded spectacularly, with Rogers turning in a commanding performance highlighted by some prodigious tactical kicking, deft touches in attack and resolute defence to top the Wallabies' tackle count.
The next morning, still on a high after arguably his most impressive display in a gold jersey, Rogers announced he wanted another shot at playing at five-eighth and even admitted he had enlisted Lote Tuqiri to lobby on his behalf.
It is uncertain whether Tuqiri has carried through on his part of that arrangement but all indications yesterday were that Jones needed no more convincing.
While the Wallabies coach stopped well short of confirming that Rogers, as the incumbent, would get the nod ahead of Giteau for the first Test of the tour, against France in Marseille on November 5, he would be targeting plenty of game time at five-eighth on the four-Test tour. "We're certainly looking at playing him again at 10, giving him more exposure there," said Jones. "The intention is to give him another opportunity."
Jones admitted he had been particularly impressed by the way Rogers underplayed his own hand at five-eighth while creating numerous opportunities for his teammates.
"That was really good," he said. "That's one of the hardest things for Matty because he is a very good ball runner himself."
The Wallabies coach has 14 "reasonably regular Test players" on his list who will miss the Europe trip either because they are injured or being rested but he refused to label the spring campaign a developmental tour.
"Not at all. We're going there determined to do well. We need to. We're not happy with our record over the last period of time," he said, referring to the Wallabies' horror run of five straight defeats, their worst losing sequence since 1969.
Nonetheless, Jones said as many as five uncapped players could be named in the 31-strong touring party next Tuesday. All indications are that Queensland prop Greg Holmes, Australia Under-21 hooker Tatafu Polata-Nau and teammates Leroy Houston and Digby Ioane and Western Force tighthead David Fitter will be named for their first Australia tour.
The strong performances of Ioane and Fitter in the respective Brisbane and Sydney grand finals will not go unnoticed when Jones, who missed the two games while holidaying in Japan, watches the tapes of them today, although it might prove difficult for him to accurately assess Fitter's worth given how much weight Eastwood conceded to Sydney University in the front row.
The tour will also see the return to Wallabies colours of Reds second rower Hugh McMeniman who voluntarily surrendered his place in the Australia squad before the Tri-Nations series when he realised he needed to beef up to be fully competitive at international level.
"He started the Super 12 season at 112kg but by the time he finished with us he was down to 106kg," said Jones. "Now he's back to 114kg. He has achieved what he set out to do, which is excellent."
Meanwhile 40-Test veteran David Lyons believes he still remains in the running for tour selection despite Jones' edict that no player less than 100 per cent fit will be selected.
"That's fair enough," said Lyons yesterday, referring to the Jones edict. "But at this stage I still think there's a good chance I'll be right." Lyons acknowledged that he had carried a groin injury right through Australia's international program this year.
The Australian
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,16837113-23217,00.html
Its good to see so much depth in the number 10 jersey now. Rogers kicking game at 10 was brillant. It would also be good to see Giteau get a bit more time there. We need to figure out whether or not Giteau is a 10.
