| You are in: Rugby Union: International |
| Friday, 25 October, 2002, 06:21 GMT 07:21 UK Wallabies save best for England
Jones said on Friday he planned to use the Wallabies' Tests against Argentina and Ireland as warm-up games for the England clash at Twickenham on 16 November. He said: "What we're looking to do over the first two games is give most blokes an opportunity to play and probably pick our best side against England. "That doesn't guarantee everyone will get a game but we believe we've got pretty good depth across the squad and we're looking to give blokes an opportunity, a chance to play in different roles." Jones is using the tour, which also includes a Test against Italy, as preparation for next year's World Cup at home. And that tour begins with a match against the Pumas on 2 November. Former rugby league international Mat Rogers looks set to start that game at full-back, in place of the injured Chris Latham.
His other major rival for the number 15 shirt, Matt Burke, should start the match at outside centre. Rogers, so far, has been used as an explosive substitute but warned Wallaby followers not to expect the same fiery style. He said: "A lot of people are expecting me to play 80 minutes of football like I have been in 15 and 20 minutes and it's not going to work like that. "You can't afford to go out on the field and just put all your eggs in one basket, you've got to go out and just play it smart for 80 minutes." Australia's tour looks likely to start without Rogers' fellow union convert Wendell Sailor. The Wallaby wing has been hampered by a knee injury and, despite returning to training, is not expected to be fit enough for the Pumas clash. Another injury concern is back-row forward David Lyons, who has a hip flexor strain and has already been ruled out of the opening Test. Australian squad: Forwards: Matt Cockbain, David Croft, Ben Darwin, Owen Finegan, Adam Freier, David Giffin, Justin Harrison, Toutai Kefu, David Lyons, Patricio Noriega, Jeremy Paul, George Smith, Nick Stiles, Daniel Vickerman, Bill Young. | See also: 23 Oct 02 | International 23 Oct 02 | International 18 Oct 02 | International 17 Oct 02 | International Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top International stories now: Links to more International stories are at the foot of the page. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Links to more International stories |
![]() | ||
------------------------------------------------------------ BBC News >> | BBC Weather >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMIII | News Sources | Privacy |