Grey takes over at number 10

New South Wales centre Nathan Grey was today named as Australia’s stand-in fly-half for Saturday’s Test against England.

Grey has been training as back-up to Elton Flatley for the last two matches, against Ireland and Wales, with both Stephen Larkham and Matt Giteau out injured.

But when Flatley, who scored two tries against England at Twickenham in November, failed to turn up for a team recovery session last weekend, coach Eddie Jones wielded the axe.

It was a brave decision as it left the Wallabies without a front-line fly-half, so Jones turned to Grey, ahead of other candidates in winger Joe Roff or full-back Mat Rogers.

Grey’s limited experience in the role – a couple of games for his club Manly, one for the NSW Waratahs and 40 minutes for Australia – won him the number 10 jersey.

“In the end, Grey’s form in training has been good and he has previous experience so we felt for the balance of the team that this was the best decision,” said Jones, who is confident grey will ably fill the hole.

“We gain a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of experience, a bloke who likes taking the ball to the line and we are really positive about it.

“It has happened by default but you move on and we are totally relaxed and confident about having Grey at 10.

“The people around him have all got roles to play in supporting him and for us to play well it is going to have to be a united team effort.”

Roff remains on the wing, but will do the goal-kicking, while Rogers got the nod ahead of Matt Burke for the vacant spot on the bench in what is otherwise the same side that defeated Wales 30-10 last weekend.

Both Rogers and Burke have been on their way back from injury and show just what quality the Wallabies have been missing out on for the last fortnight.

“It’s relief in a way, just getting here is not enough really,” said Rogers.

“You have got to go out there and prove yourself. There are a lot of outside backs vying for selection – Matt Giteau and Stirling Mortlock are still to come back.

“It is a matter of playing as well as you can and doing enough to earn your spot. There is a big job ahead and I am looking forward to the challenge.”