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This article is from Queenslands Courier Mail, so don't get too excited by the bias.
I would suggest that Schifcofske's Rugby World Cup chances have decreased sharply with his Super 14 Coaches relationship with the current Wallaby Coach!
The injury however does obviously get him back on a par with Shepherd as a starting #15.
He just has to learn the sport first....
Schifcofske in frame for Cup spot
By Mick Daly, The Courier Mail/Fox
January 09, 2007
CODE jumper Clinton Schifcofske's Rugby World Cup chances have increased sharply with Australia full back Chris Latham set to miss the tournament because of injury.
Wallabies coach John Connolly last night nominated Queensland recruit Schifcofske alongside Cameron Shepherd (Western Force), Sam Norton-Knight (New South Wales) and Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies) as candidates to replace Latham, who ruptured the anterior cruciate and medial ligaments in his right knee last Saturday.
Connolly said he would contact Schifcofske and Australia's other full back contenders over the coming weeks to tell them what he was looking for.
The race for Australia's No. 15 jersey was "wide open", and it was up to the players to impress, Connolly said.
"Super 14 performances will have a huge bearing on who we go for," he said.
"Chris was a fair way ahead of the pack, and the player we eventually decide on could really come from anywhere.
"I'll be watching Super 14 games closely to gauge who is doing what and to see who is putting their hands up."
Former Queensland Origin star Schifcofske, the NRL fullback of the year last season, will play just his third game of rugby when the Reds meet Auckland in a trial in New Zealand next Wednesday.
Queensland coach Eddie Jones has promised to give Schifcofske an opportunity at full back, and Latham last night backed the former Canberra player to succeed.
"He's been a great player for rugby league for many years now," Latham said.
"Certainly his experience over the big stage will get him through times I guess where if it was a young guy coming in, it would probably be a little bit too much for them."