Wallabies coach considers last line of defence for game-breaker Rogers
Rogers played at outside centre during the Tri-Nations, but the return from injury of Stirling Mortlock has forced Jones to rethink his line-up.
The classy NSW full-back could now find himself wearing the No.15 against the Pumas on October 10.
In a possible selection pointer Rogers played full-back at training yesterday, although he opposed the present incumbent, Chris Latham.
Jones wasn’t giving away anything, not even to his players, who are unlikely to find out who will be in the first XV, and in what position, until at least after Friday’s final simulated game, the last of three.
Until then, it’s game-on at the training base in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.
“Maybe I don’t know,” Jones laughed, when asked about the keeping his players in the dark.
“Obviously we want competition and as we get a bit closer we’ll obviously start gearing in on what we’ve got to do.”
Rogers last played No.15 at Test level against Argentina in Buenos Aires last year, but suffered a rib cartilage injury which curtailed his performance and prematurely ended his Australian tour.
Italy coach John Kirwan is considering fielding his second string team in the World Cup opener against New Zealand.
The former All Blacks winger could decide to rest his best players so they are fit for the second Pool D match against Tonga.
“I have to make choices taking into consideration the characteristics of the adversaries,” said Kirwan.
“So against the All Blacks you’ll see one team and against Tonga another.”
“The biggest problem of this World Cup is the calendar, with matches so close together it will be difficult to recover,” he added.
The match against Tonga comes just four days after what is expected to be a one-sided encounter against the All Blacks.
Italy have lost all of their seven previous meetings with New Zealand and have been outscored 410 points to 77 on aggregate.
But Italian Rugby Federation president Giancarlo Dondi is confident that Italy can advance from a tricky pool that also includes Wales and Canada.
“It’s a very difficult pool, but anything is possible,” said Dondi.
“If we can make the quarter-finals that would be a great result.”
France’s World Cup squad have been told not to eat airline food or take naps as they travel to Australia.
The 42-man French delegation left home yesterday with strict rules about diet and sleep.
Team doctor Thierry Hermerel made players move their bedtimes 30 minutes earlier each day as the departure date approached.
The French players will be supplied with medically approved high-protein meals during the trip rather than airline food.
France have a 28-hour trip, including two stop-overs, before they land in Brisbane.
They play their opening game against Fiji on 11 October.
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