Jones puts faith in league trio

AUSTRALIA’S gamble on rugby league converts Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri to help them retain the World Cup faces an All Black examination in tomorrow’s Bledisloe Cup match.

The Australian Rugby Union splashed out two million dollars (1.16m) in luring the three backs from the 13-man code and for the first time they have all been picked by Wallaby coach Eddie Jones.

Sailor and Rogers moved across in 2002, and Tuqiri followed this season. Tuqiri was picked on the wing for the injured Joe Roff, Sailor is on the other wing, while Rogers partners Elton Flatley in midfield as part of the 12th different Test centre combination since the 1999 World Cup.