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DUBLIN - A desperate plea for one more chance is unlikely to save Mat Rogers from the chop as selectors sharpen the axe after the Wallabies' unconvincing 25-18 rugby test win over Italy.
Unless there is a late change of heart, Rogers will be the fall guy for
the Australian backline's dysfunctional display in Rome, with Stephen Larkham reverting to five-eighths and Stirling Mortlock and Lote Tuqiri forming yet another new-look centre pairing for Sunday's international against Ireland at Landsdowne Road.
While assistant coach Scott Johnson is resisting the changes, he is expected to lose out to fellow selectors John Connolly and Michael O'Connor, who have lost patience with Rogers as Australia's chief playmaker.
Connolly and O'Connor are deeply concerned about Australia's midfield kicking deficiencies, believing that rather than Chris Latham providing support for Rogers and Larkham, Australia's fullback is the only player in the team who can be relied on as a world-class general-play kicker.
They also doubt Rogers, who has played most of his professional football career as an outside back, has the tactical awareness to run the backline adequately. It's likely Larkham's cool head and experience will be favoured as Connolly seeks a more pragmatic approach from the Wallabies.
"Our theory at times in this team is if in doubt, we throw it wide," Connolly said. "But the rugby has improved so much that playing in the wide channels, when you're not going forward, exposes you greatly.
"We saw the dangers yesterday. Ninety seconds to go, we throw wide with a double cut. It's high risk. I mean, turnovers against Ireland [this week] ... you can't just shovel it. All you are doing is shovelling the problem wider. It's understanding how you have to play the game."
Rogers appealed to selectors to keep the faith, just as Larkham did, and promised their combination as five-eighths and inside centre could work.
They both felt they performed better on Sunday than against Wales the week before, when Australia's revamped backline was praised for its enterprising display in the 29-29 draw.
"Last week was the first time we'd played in nine weeks," Rogers said.
"For anyone to think we were going to come out and play our best rugby after not playing any football at all for nine weeks - to come out and play the house down - was a bit presumptuous.
"So, given the fact we've had two games together now ... it's only going to get better.
"Great teams don't just play two games and play their best football. You've got to give them a chance to gel and to perform together in different situations.
"I think Ireland is going to be a tougher game, given the fact they've watched the game we've had against Italy and know where they are going to attack us.
"It's up to us to counter that and chopping and changing isn't going to be the right thing to do."
Rogers accepted his kicking game at Stadio Flaminio wasn't up to scratch but said he hadn't had a chance to practise during his two months on the sidelines with an injury to his kicking leg.
"I just have to grit my teeth and get out there and do some kicking this week and make sure when I do come out next week, if I do, that my kicking game is up to scratch," he said.
Rogers was not the only player to cop it from the Australian coach.
Connolly has demanded the attitude across the squad improves after leaving Rome with no doubt that complacency was the reason for Sunday's below-par effort.
- AAP
