$5m converts feel the heat

By CHRIS RATTUE in Sydney

They represent the biggest financial splurge in rugby's recruitment history.

Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers were supposed to be Australia's knights in shining armour, racing to the defence of the World Cup crown.

Instead, the $5 million men - the amount the Australian Rugby Union is estimated to have spent on their signatures - are being derided as knights from the realms of fantasy.

The ARU's raid sent shivers down the spine of league as union flexed its muscles. Dissatisfied league players, in particular, started knocking on rugby doors and using the rival code as a bargaining chip.

But now it's many of the Wallaby supporters who are doing the shivering, as Sailor and Rogers in particular struggle to meet expectations at the World Cup.

Still, when Australia run out on to Telstra Stadium to face the All Blacks in the semifinal, the maligned ex-league players will represent a significant chunk of Australia's chances.

Tuqiri, who has only just become a central figure in Wallaby coach Eddie Jones' plans, has won wide approval in the limited opportunities he has had at the tournament. But it's not so jolly for the gifted Rogers, while the powerful, but one-dimensional Sailor has struck troubled waters.

The critics have been smacking Sailor with the ferocity of a Jerry Collins tackle, and they are closing in on Rogers.

Sailor's clumsy defence was exposed most alarmingly when Irish centre Brian O'Driscoll cruised past him for a touchline try.

There were even claims from some Irish journalists that O'Driscoll preyed on Sailor's rugby naivety, instantly knowing a league player would expect the attacker to chop infield. After all, it's a sin to be thrown into touch in league.

Another chapter in the O'Driscoll legend maybe, but it just added to the claims that Sailor is a myth.

One of Australia's leading rugby writers, Peter Jenkins, was moved to claim: "Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers made you wish they were playing not just another code, but in another country."

Others have demanded the dumping of Sailor and called for an axe with Rogers' name on it to be sharpened.

Even ARU boss John O'Neill weighed in, demanding his high-priced team start performing.

Yet in a team with a wonky tight five and weary halves, the ex-league trio still represent Australia's best chance in many ways.

The potential is still there and without them, where would Australia find hope?

Former All Black and Kiwi Matthew Ridge, who made one of the most successful cross-code switches, warns that John Mitchell's men must still be extremely wary of the converts.

But Ridge can't believe the poor form of Sailor, nor Rogers' recent troubles.

"I reckon Wendell has lost all his confidence. The Wendell I knew always had a lot of confidence," said Ridge, who faced the trio on league fields.

"He rushes out of the line and doesn't seem to know what he is doing on defence ... I may be wrong, but he seems to have lost a touch of pace. He is certainly a far better player than he is showing.

"Wendell is the sort of guy who reads all the papers and worries about what other people are saying.

"Mat will ride it out, but it will be getting to Wendell a bit. He's a real gentleman, but he does worry about what Joe Public thinks.

"He should concentrate on his game and then I'm sure it will come right."

Ridge believes continual positional switches have hurt Rogers, who has been considered for every backline position in rugby bar halfback.

"I can't believe he has dropped the ball stone cold like he has," Ridge said.

"He's best at fullback, but he's been moved from pillar to post. That's tough in a new sport. Maybe they all need a bit more time in the game.

"I can't see the Wallabies getting over the All Blacks, but those three could still turn in blinders. They are great athletes and will be stung by the criticism."

Wallaby coach Eddie Jones has played Rogers at wing, centre and latterly fullback. Wing Sailor has had regular starts, but Tuqiri has been used mainly off the bench.

Straight-talking former Queensland coach and national selector John Connolly, now coaching at Bath, says the trio's inexperience and subsequent lack of combination is showing.

Connolly says maverick fullback Chris Latham, plus Roff and Tuqiri, should start, with Rogers on the bench.

"There is no doubt Latham should be the fullback, but he has burnt so many bridges within the camp that Jones may have wiped his hands of him," Connolly said.

"Latham's got experience, and although there is a perception he's made mistakes in big games, he has also done a lot of good things.

"He's an unusual character ... I brought him to Queensland from NSW and kind of grew with him, so I have a different perspective.

"But he can be a bit difficult at times. He says silly things to the media and if he's not in the team, he'll sulk around.

"So you've got three players there with only a couple of seasons of rugby, all struggling to come to grips with the game.

"I can see merit in Sailor sometimes, he takes the ball forward so strongly, but he's like Jonah, and reminds me a lot of Joeli Vidiri.

"They're all magnificent runners, but have an awful lot of holes in their games ... their defence and when the ball gets put in behind them."

And, Connolly adds: "Three guys from left field have all gone straight into the side.

"There must be huge alarm bells in Australian rugby ... it means we haven't been doing a great job in developing players."

But for now, the deeper issues are on the backburner. Finding form against the All Blacks is all that counts. After that, Wallaby supporters will be able to count the cost and determine whether the $5 million was money well spent.

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