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Friday, 25 October, 2002, 06:21 GMT 07:21 UK
Wallabies save best for England
Mat Rogers, who has made an explosive start to his international career, celebrates scoring against New Zealand
Rogers will put his fireworks on hold
Australia will only field their full strength squad against England during their autumn tour of Argentina and Europe, coach Eddie Jones has revealed.

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.


People are expecting me to play 80 minutes of football like I have been in 15 and 20 minutes and it's not going
Mat Rogers

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:
Backs: George Gregan (captain), Matthew Burke, Elton Flatley, Matt Giteau, Daniel Herbert, Scott Staniforth, Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock, Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor, Ben Tune, Chris Whitaker.

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
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