Wallaby coach remains confident for Irish Test

WALLABY coach Eddie Jones was already weary after a marathon haul from Buenos Aires yesterday, but the conundrum over who wears the No 15 jersey against Ireland on Saturday has further furrowed his brow.

On top of winger Ben Tune returning home with a serious hamstring problem that may sideline him for six months, Australia are suddenly short of full-backs. Chris Latham withdrew because of injury before the team left Australia; Mat Rogers, who played at full-back against the Pumas, is certain to be sidelined for at least a week with rib cartilage damage, while Matt Burke may also miss the Irish Test with a calf muscle injury which saw him replaced in the second half of the River Plate Stadium international.

It had been assumed Jones would continue the back-line experiments against Ireland, with Rogers being transferred from full-back to inside-centre, Stirling Mortlock from the wing to outside-centre, and Burke from No 13 to his favoured full-back.

However, it now looks as if Jones has two options return Stephen Larkham to full-back for the first time in five years, or give Mortlock the No 15 jersey.

If Larkham goes to full-back, Elton Flatley would step in as out-half.

"You have to remember that even with Mat Rogers doubtful and Chris Latham not on tour, we still have three blokes in the squad who can play fullback: Matt Burke, Stirling Mortlock and Stephen Larkham," Jones said.

The Australian forward pack is also not settled. Jones is uncertain whether utility forwards Owen Finegan and David Lyons will be available, but hooker Jeremy Paul will be rested, with Adam Freier moving into the starting position. Brendan Cannon, a back-up, will move onto the bench.

Nick Stiles is expected to take over the Test loose-head prop position after Bill Young returned to Sydney on Monday for the birth of his first child.

Jones also continued his calls for a revamp of the Test citing procedure after no official action was taken over unsavoury incidents during the Test in Buenos Aires, where Matt Cockbain and Freier were eye-gouged by Puma forwards.

"The whole system needs a huge overhaul," Jones told yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald.

"We really have to look at the sort of people who have got involved in the citing process," he said.

"Matt Cockbain and Adam Freier were both blatantly gouged. It was clear as day on the tape but nothing happened. That's wrong."