Play Rogers at inside centre, says Horan

[NewsBot]

Play Rogers at inside centre, says Horan

Wallaby great Tim Horan says Mat Rogers should replace the injured Matt Giteau at inside centre for Sunday's rugby Test against England in Sydney.

[The Duke]

I disagree entirely with Horan. Rogers might be good on attack but he is an absolute powderpuff on defence - and he can't take a hit (which he's going get a fair bit of in that position particularly with his history). Wasn't it Lewsey who wiped him out in a head on tackle a few years ago to the extent that he was jittery for a few games thereafter? At 12 there is no place to hide when your opponents are running at you!

[felixnelson]

Play Staniforth at Inside Centre, says felixnelson

[Burgs]

Listen to felixnelson, says Burgs

[Jess]

i don't envy knuckles for having to make the call hey. Whoever he choses it can either go really well or really badly for him. Talk about being spoilt for choice though!

[Shaun]

Stanners is the answer, Will Connoly see this is the question...

[GoNutz]

Tuqiri played good last year when he was put at 13.
What about:

10.Larkham
11.Shepperd/Rathbone
12.Mortlock
13.Tuqiri
14. Gerrard
15. Latham

Tuqiri at 13 could be something to look at in the future, as Rogers, Larkharm, and Mortlock are aging. Then Giteau can possibly move to 10/12. Bring in Barnes and Norton-Knight.

[Burgs]

Personally I didn't really rate Tuqiri's performances at #13 very highly at all.
He lacks the passing finesse required and is often caught with the ball trying to bust through, either turning over possesion or giving away vital penalties.
In my view Tuqiri and Mortlock are arguably the best in the world (or at least top three) in their respective positions and it would be a major risk doing a double change.
It was hinted at as a possability on Inside Rugby on Thursday night however, if anyone was to "come in", I would bring Gerrard into #12.
He is a very gifted player who has the ability to play in any position from #12 out.
Giteau will be the long term #12 in my opinion (once he stops injuring himself!) and will form the lynchpin of a formidable backline with Gerrard, Tuqiri, Shepherd etal post France '07.
In the immediate future, with Gits injured, I imagine that Knuckles will persist with the injury prone and inferior Rogers at the expense of the positionally experienced Staniforth, Fairbanks and Norton-Knight.
With Fairbanks and Norton-Knight, I'm not sure why you would pick two experienced inside backs in your squad if you are not going to use them before "blooding" an older outside back first?
Rogers is a magnificent rugby player and his skills are best used when he has room to be creative, to use him at #12 (or even worse #10!) is to waste his best assets.

[felixnelson]

I would think that Rogers would be about the best bench player in world rugby if he sat there. Imagine having the availability of a quality flyhalf, fullback or winger ready to make an impact in the game when he is needed. I like Rogers, but i dont like him at 12. I could see Tuqiri and Gerrard around the ground at the end of the match but they should start where they are best and belong, on the wing. I'd also like to see Cordingly get another start.... The time he spent on the field in that Ireland game Australia has 25% of the possession. Give him another go i reckon. How about this?

Team when the game starts:
9 Cordingly
10 Larkham
11 Tuqiri
12 Staniforth
13 Mortlock
14 Gerrard
15 Latham
20 Gregan
21 Rogers
22 Shepherd

When the game ends:
9 Gregan
10 Rogers
11 Shepherd
12 Mortlock
13 Tuqiri
14 Gerrard
15 Latham
Benched
Cordingly
Staniforth
Larkham

I acknowledge that this happens in a perfect world with no injuries and i know it is dependant on how the players perform on the night but i thought it give some players the start they deserve and give players some game time in their better or different positions. Its a little to risky against the All Blacks....I just wish we had another $hitkicker game against England where all you have to do is show up to win and you can do whatever the hell you want with your players haha. If nothing us this line up is a debating point.
cheers,
Felix

[GoNutz]

I like the lineup when the game ends. Tuqiri can do some damage in the midfield when the defences are tired. The Waratahs combination with Rogers will also help.