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Rogers wants another crack at No.10

28/11/2006 06:37:43 PM Comments (0)

Wallaby utility back Mat Rogers has put his hand up to play again at five eighth next year and claims Australia's experimental back line needs more games together to function properly.

Rogers, who played most of his early representative rugby at fullback, got an extended run at fly half with NSW this season.

He was also given two starts in the No.10 jersey for the recent Tests against Wales and Italy when Wallaby coach John Connolly opted to switch regular pivot Stephen Larkham to inside centre and Matt Giteau from that position to halfback.

Connolly restored Larkham to five eighth for the final two Tests of the tour against Ireland and Scotland, and dropped Rogers to the bench.

Rogers was disappointed he didn't get an opportunity to play at five eighth in the other two Tests on tour and felt it was unrealistic to expect the radically revamped back line to fire after just two matches.

"It was tough," he said after arriving back in Sydney.

"The blokes that were on there, sometimes we'd look at each other expecting someone to do something and nothing would really get done.

"Our communication probably wasn't great at times, but to think those things all going to click after two games, you are kidding yourself.

"If you are going to have success with that combination we need to give it more time."

Asked how he rated his efforts at five eighth in the two Tests, Rogers replied: "the first game (against Wales) was pretty good. I don't think anyone in the second game was very good against Italy, I was bit disappointed not to get another opportunity but so be it."

Asked if there were was too much chopping and changing of the Wallaby back line, Rogers said: "I would have liked to have played in one position for the entire tour but it wasn't the case. It's a team game though, so you've got to try and find the right mix, that's what the coaches are trying to do.

"They (the coaches) are new to the job and there's a lot of new players and I guess we will just have to wait and see what comes of it next year when we get back together."

While Larkham would appear to present an insurmountable obstacle to the Wallaby five eighth spot, Rogers was adamant he wanted to fill that role for the NSW next year.

"I definitely want to play five eighth for the Waratahs and hopefully with form there, I will go into an Australian campaign with some runs on the board," Rogers said.

Rogers will switch back to rugby league and join fledging club Gold Coast Titans following next year's Rugby World Cup.

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