Rogers an unknown quantity in All Blacks' plans

All Blacks Mils Muliaina (left) and Joe Rokocoko during training at Waitakere Stadium this week in preparation for the Tri-Nations deciding test match in Auckland. Picture / Fotopress

Mat Rogers has confirmed the All Blacks' worst fears -- he'll bring wholesale unpredictability to first five-eighth for the Wallabies in tomorrow night's Tri-Nations rugby test here.

Rogers' selection as playmaker best highlights the injury problems that have struck his team, having not played there since school days. Since then he has played as a rugby league winger for Cronulla, Queensland and Australia, and flitted around the outside backs during four seasons of professional rugby union.

Rogers wasn't sure exactly what he would bring to a game the Wallabies must win to avoid a clean sweep of Tri-Nations losses but he suspected their patterns would have to change in the absence of injured players far more experienced in the gold No 10 jersey.

"I'm certainly not Stephen Larkham, I'm not Mat Giteau so it will certainly change the way we play the game," Rogers said.

"It's all a bit unknown, we'll just have to wait and see in the game.

"I played fly half as a kid so it's not like I haven't done it. But it's going to be very different."

Rogers said he would be prepared to run if the opportunity arose but then added to the confusion by revealing he was a fan growing up of former All Blacks first five-eighth Grant Fox, not renowned as an improvisor.

All Blacks coach Wayne Smith said Rogers' selection had thrown the All Blacks' preparation this week out of kilter because there was no video footage to study.

"It's strange. It's saved us about 10 hours work anyway. I don't know what to do with myself," Smith said.

"You like to know your enemy. It's good to know the strength and weaknesses of who you play against. Information's pretty critical at this level."

The best they can come up with is a pre-season Super 12 game last year when Rogers slotted in at No 10 for the New South Wales Waratahs against the Crusaders. Some of those Crusaders, including his likely All Blacks opposite tomorrow Leon MacDonald, had hazy memories of how the 29-year-old played that day.

"We've just got to keep our wits about us, keep to our systems and expect the unexpected really with Mat because he's a talented footballer," Smith said.

"He seems to squeeze through gaps, doesn't he? He's got a kicking game as well that's come from league, I guess, which is based on retaining the ball.

"I'm certain he'll want to keep our defenders guessing."

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones agreed he was taking a chance by selecting Rogers ahead of regular Waratahs No 10 Lachlan MacKay. The uncapped MacKay is on a reserve bench lacking test experience.

"You weigh up the risks of are we going to get something a little bit different from Matty at 10 than we might from other selections. And the answer to that's yes," Jones said.

"But certainly, there's a risk involved."

The halves of both sides have dominated the buildup to this test.

MacDonald is battling a hip injury which could yet rule him out, with his status likely to become clear after the captain's run at Eden Park today.

All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu is a more likely starter, recovering well from a thigh strain.

Weepu's opposite George Gregan is the central figure this week, however, the Wallabies skipper preparing for his world record-equalling 114th test to the backdrop of heavy criticism at home over his form in a team who have lost their last four tests.

- NZPA