Jones continues to push Brumbies' Test claims
Brisbane
June 5, 2000

ACT coach Eddie Jones has urged national selectors not to forget the fullback credentials of Joe Roff as he called for his players to dominate the first Test squad.

Jones said Roff, Andrew Walker and Stirling Mortlock should win backline berths in the Wallaby team to play Argentina at Ballymore on June 17. A 26-man squad will be named on Wednesday, following tomorrow night's national championship match between a depleted Queensland and a second string Brumbies at Ballymore.

Jones wants the Brumbies to dominate Wallaby selection in the same way their Super 12 final conqueror Canterbury secured 11 spots in the All Black squad.

"The quality of the Super 12 finals showed (the Brumbies and Crusaders) were definitely the best two teams in the competition," Jones said. "New Zealand have shown they're picking the All Blacks on Super 12 form and we would be hopeful the Australian selectors are going to do the same thing."

While halves Stephen Larkham and George Gregan will headline the Brumbies' Wallaby contingent, Jones wants Roff, Mortlock and Walker to join them. Roff is expected to play on the wing because of the outstanding form of Queensland fullback Chris Latham who is likely to replace the injured Matthew Burke, but Jones said it should not be a closed case.

"It's hard to decide between Chris Latham and Joe Roff at fullback but I think they should look seriously at Roffy because I thought he was outstanding in the Super 12," Jones said. "Andrew Walker is definitely the best finisher in the competition and therefore warrants selection and I thought Stirling Mortlock was definitely the form outside centre of the competition.

"They will definitely need a goalkicker in the side and Stirling averaged about 74 per cent in the Super 12 and Walks is also a competent goalkicker."

Selectors must consider goalkicking following an ankle injury to Burke, but the World Cup fullback today received some good news. Burke was originally expected to miss up to six weeks but an MRI scan revealed he could return in four weeks, putting him in contention for the closed-roof Test against South Africa in Melbourne on July 8.

Burke's absence will only enhance the claims of Mortlock and fullback/winger Walker but Jones said that should not be an issue.

"I would have hoped Stirling and Andrew were already in the door before Matthew was injured," Jones said. "He's obviously a very good player but I thought Andrew and Stirling were outstanding in the Super 12 and warranted selection."

Jones also pressed the claims of prop Bill Young, hooker Jeremy Paul, backrower Jim Williams, lock David Giffin and back Rod Kafer.

"Rod Kafer should definitely be the reserve back. He's an outstanding player at either inside centre or five-eighth and played in a backline where he was the architect of many of the tries," Jones said.

The Wallaby squad will gather at Caloundra in Queensland on Thursday with a question mark still hanging over veteran flanker David Wilson. The Queenslander is racing the clock to overcome a fractured sternum suffered on April 29, and he could join confirmed non-starters Ben Tune (ankle) and Toutai Kefu (knee) on the sidelines.

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