NRL big Wallabies star Mat Rogers points to ‘gruesome’ reason why Eddie Jones made the right decision with controversial call to drop two of rugby’s biggest stars before the World Cup
Former cross-code star Mat Rogers has backed Eddie Jones’ bold decision to drop veterans Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper ahead of the World Cup in France.
Rogers, 47, made his NRL debut with the Sharks in 1995 before being tempted to defect and play for the Wallabies under Jones ahead of the 2003 World Cup on home soil.
He told Broad sports world he was not surprised that Hooper and Cooper were left out, pointing to the “gruesome” results of the past decade.
“Do we want to keep picking the same players and get the same results,” Rogers asked.
“I don’t want to sound harsh, but the reality is that over the last 10 to 12 years we haven’t gotten the results we wanted as a nation.
Former cross-code star Mat Rogers (pictured playing for the Wallabies) has endorsed Eddie Jones despite controversy over coach selection for World Cup squad
Rogers acknowledged Cooper has had a great career but feels he’s part of a losing culture when he plays for the Wallabies
“It was awful, honestly. Changes must take place.’
Jones chose a youthful World Cup squad, with players like Max Jorgensen and halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa as beneficiaries.
Rogers called fly-half Carter Gordon a “massive talent” and pointed out how Jones bled Matt Giteau as a 20-year-old.
At the time, he was a rising star for the ACT Brumbies, but many felt he was not up to the Test standard.
The utility played 103 Tests for the Wallabies from 2002 through 2016.
Despite Australia losing all five Tests since Jones replaced Dave Rennie in January, bookmakers have Australia favorites to beat Pool C and progress to the quarter-finals.
There they could compete against Michael Cheika’s Argentina or England.
As a much-needed boost, assistant coach Neal Hatley confirmed that center forward Samu Kerevi has overcome a hand injury and is available for selection.
Many Wallabies fans were stunned to see winger Michael Hooper overlooked for World Cup squad
Australia have lost all five Tests this season, with Jones failing to secure a win since taking charge in January (pictured, Wallabies after being beaten by the All Blacks last month)
The Wallabies’ last win came in November 2022, when they beat Wales 39-34 in Cardiff (pictured, former skipper James Slipper, centre, after losing to the All Blacks in July)
If selected, Jorgensen will make history by becoming the youngest Wallaby ever to play at a World Cup in the opening game.
The winger completed his HSC at Sydney’s exclusive St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill last year.
A knee injury sustained during the Super Rugby Pacific season with the NSW Waratahs meant the 19-year-old was expected to miss the World Cup squad, but Jones opted for the speedster.
Australia will take on Georgia in their World Cup opener on Sunday, September 10 at 2am AEST.
Watch every World Cup match ad-free, live and on-demand in 4K UHD on Stan Sport.