Under fire Jones set to blood new Wallabies for European tour

EUROPEAN rugby fans can expect some surprising selections when Australia embark on a four-Test tour in November, according to national coach Eddie Jones.

Jones flagged that idea on Sunday, shortly before he flew to France where he will look at training camp sites for the 2007 World Cup squad.

However, before the Wallabies can even think of the World Cup, the next job for the embattled Jones is to rally his troops, who have lost their last five Test matches and just completed their worst ever Tri-Nations campaign.

The Wallabies are scheduled to play France, England, Wales and Ireland with a squad depleted by injuries.

Jones was making no excuses before he left, telling assembled media that the current batch of players with the exception of those with long-term injuries was just not good enough.

"The trick for us to go forward now is finding players who are going to be better than what we've got at the moment because clearly the players we've got at the moment aren't good enough," Jones said.

"We've lost five Tests in-a-row so we've got to look at improving the side.

"Some of that is going to come through retaining experienced players, some of it's going to be through some experienced players maybe having an off-season and see how they come back in Super 14 and some through bringing the younger players on."

One player who stood out from the pack in Saturday's 34-24 defeat by New Zealand was dual international Mat Rogers, who was thrown in at the deep end as the fourth choice fly-half.

Rogers is keen to develop his presence in the No.10 jersey, so much so that he plans to ask his Super 14 coach, Ewen McKenzie of the NSW Waratahs, for an extended trial at fly-half.

"Let's face it, there was only one reason I was playing five-eighth (fly-half) and that was due to injury but hopefully the Wallabies might look at me there in a more permanent role," Rogers said.

"After playing 10, I'm more than happy to put my hand up on a more permanent basis. I thoroughly enjoyed it and given the chance, I'd love to do it again."

With the Wallabies' two most experienced pivots, Steve Larkham and Elton Flatley, ruled out of the European tour, Jones did not hesitate when asked if Rogers was now on his short list of tour fly-halves. "Definitely, definitely, definitely," said Jones. "He's just a born footballer."

Meanwhile, Rogers was quick to praise young inside centre Morgan Turinui for his guidance on Saturday.

"Morgan Turinui is a freak, a once in a lifetime footballer," Rogers said. "He's 23 but he's got the head of a 33-year-old. I'm 29 years old and have been playing professionally for 12 years and to have that guy outside me ... every time we got a penalty, I'd just look at him and he'd have everything organised for me.

"And he'd have the second phase after it organised for me as well. It made my job so easy.

"He's a machine. He was bred to play footy and run the show and I think he will be a very worthy captain one day."