Latham Expected To Be Named At Full-Back

Chris Latham, recently so much in the news over his U-turn abour joining Munster is expected to be named at full-back when Eddie Jones names his side for the game against Ireland at the Subiaco Oval in Perth next Saturday. Although the Australians will be without a number of first choice backs, the expectation is that Jones will ask his side to play a wide expansive game with the emphasis on getting ball to Latham, Joe Roff and Wendell Sailor.

Speaking from their base at Coffs harbour, Jones said at the week-end, “I think there has been an evolution over the past few years and the significance of the back three has probably increased.

“If you look at Auckland during the Super 12, its thrust came from the back three, and I think the way defences are at the moment, you need a back three that can make line breaks consistently and can beat tackles one on one.

“Given the way the game’s going, you need to interchange between right wing and full-back and left wing,” Jones said. “They’re really a floating three working at the back and their work together is very important. They need to have complementary skills.”

Although there were suggestions earlier on that Latham might miss out on this series – and indeed the World Cup – his displays in the Super 12 earned him his place in the squad. He was voted – along with Roff – Super 12 Player of the Season.

Meanwhile, Irealand settled into their Freemantle base and the only player who didn’t take part in their training sesion yesterday was Paddy Wallace who has a non too serious foot injury. Coach Eddie O’Sullivan will name the Irish side at lunchtime Tuesday.

Australia. (probable).

Chris Latham; Joe Roff, Morgan Turinui, Steve Kefu, Wendell Sailor; Elton Flatley, George Gregan; Toutai Kefu, George Smith, David Lyons, Nathan Sharpe, David Giffin, Patricio Noriega, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young.

Reserves: Brendan Cannon, Ben Darwin, Daniel Vickerman, Phil Waugh, Chris Whitaker, Nathan Grey, Lote Tuqiri.