Rogers doesn't fit backline, says Campese

Danger man Mat Rogers is criticised because he 'dies with the ball'. Chris McGrath / Getty Images

CHRISTCHURCH - Mat Rogers has come in for some derisive criticism from Wallaby great David Campese, who questions his value in the midfield of the Australian backline.

In a wide-ranging interview in the official match programme for tomorrow's Bledisloe Cup start, Campese makes special mention of Rogers and ponders whether he is the right fit for the Wallabies.

Those comments will stir up the Wallabies, with Campese inferring that - Lote Tuiqiri apart - the converts from league have not adapted their skills to a different code.

It will also place more heat on the duels in the middle of the park where the All Blacks have gone for skills rather than bulk with Mils Muliaina and Aaron Mauger, while the Wallabies have retained Rogers ahead of Matt Giteau.

"The problem with Mat Rogers is that he is a rugby league player still and he struggles," Campese says.

"He is a very good individual, but we saw against England when he was playing inside centre that he spots the gap and goes for it but doesn't pass.

"That's our problem, and Wendell Sailor was very similar. Lote Tuqiri has learnt a lot on the wing and is very dangerous and he can move the ball.

"But Mat Rogers dies with the ball. I think he is more an impact player. With Chris Latham at fullback and Matt Giteau inside centre, I don't think there is room for Rogers."

All Black assistant coach Wayne Smith was diplomatic yesterday when speaking about Rogers, suggesting he was a player who brought totally different skills to a game.

Rogers' defence was reasonably accurate, Smith said, and he was certain the smaller All Black midfield would be targeted by the powerful Stirling Mortlock.

Smith said the All Blacks had prepared for tough conditions if the dismal weather continued tomorrow in Christchurch. It was a shame the only test in the South Island this winter had not sold out.

About 4000 tickets were still available yesterday for the 35,700-capacity Jade Stadium. Canterbury chief executive Hamish Riach blamed cold weather rather than too much rugby for the spectator apathy.

"Night tests in July are fraught with weather issues and I think that is definitely a factor," he said.

"We would like them later but that is not up to us."

Wallaby coach John Connolly shrugged off the prospect of a test dictated by weather. When he was the Reds' coach he lost players to hypothermia during one match and he had tried to watch the "Soupa" 14 final.

"It doesn't worry me if five people turn up or 50,000," he said. "We would like a full house but we'll worry about what happens on the pitch."

Smith hoped there would be a late surge of spectator interest. Night tests were staged for valid commercial reasons and there were disadvantages for the players, but it was a fact of life.

"We might need to look at other solutions such as covered stadiums at some point. Rather than changing the time zone, maybe we have to look at how do we handle the environmental conditions better."

The Millennium Stadium in Wales was great, he said. You always knew what conditions would be like because the roof could be closed.