Roff wanted for Wallabies fullback - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Roff wanted for Wallabies fullback

20/08/2003 08:42:51 PM Comments (0)

Former greats Nick Farr-Jones and Roger Gould believe Joe Roff could be the Wallabies' answer to fill the troublesome fullback jersey for the World Cup.

Former Test fullback and Australian selector Gould was in Sydney to launch a book written by Farr-Jones, "Story of the Rugby World Cup".

With incumbent fullback Chris Latham and Australia's most capped custodian Matt Burke both inconsistent this season, the classy ACT Brumbies winger has emerged as a genuine option.

The 76-Test veteran, who's a proven big match player, could provide the spark and penetration that has been missing at the back, with Farr-Jones saying Roff should be considered there.

The former Australian captain also nominated Stirling Mortlock and Mat Rogers as his preferred Wallabies centre combination.

He said Mortlock was his pick to oust Elton Flatley at No.12 when he returns from a shoulder reconstruction later this month.

"I think if you had Wendell, Lote and Joe Roff as your back three it would be fantastic," Farr-Jones said.

Gould, who was scathing of the Wallabies' individual defence in their 21-17 Bledisloe Cup loss to the All Blacks last Saturday, said Roff had come into the frame.

"There's not just Matt Burke and Chris Latham, you have to throw Joe Roff into the mix, they all bring something to the table," said Gould, who won 25 Test caps.

While Roff regularly spends time at fullback during Test matches and fills the role with the Brumbies, he hasn't been considered as a starting No.15.

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