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Last Updated: Tuesday, 11 November, 2003, 10:01 GMT
Jones defends Sailor
Australian wing Wendell Sailor
Sailor's power is key to Jones' ambitions
Australian coach Eddie Jones insists wing Wendell Sailor is strong enough to halt the threat of New Zealand's Joe Rokocoko in Saturday's semi-final.

Rokocoko has been among the tournament's leading try scorers - with five so far - and critics have suggested Sailor is too weak defensively to contain him.

But Jones said: "Sailor's been heavily criticised for his defence, I think some of it's been a little bit unfair but we're sure he can do the job against Rokocoko."

Australia have gone for an unchanged XV from the team that defeated Scotland 33-16.

And as a result, the former league trio of Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers make up Australia's back three.

Despite criticism of Sailor in the press down under, Jones is determined to stick by him.

The Wallabies coach said: "In the second half against Scotland he was very powerful, made a number of runs and he's the sort of guy who troubles the All Blacks.

"We considered Joe Roff but, in the end, we feel our back three are probably going to carry the ball a fair bit so we went with those three guys."





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