Previews of today's matches: The Wallabies captain George Gregan will today equal the former England and Lions prop Jason Leonard's record of 118 Test caps, but the 32-year-old's prospects of adding to the tally next year are so mired in the politics of Australian rugby that not even a convincing victory today and a vintage individual performance by the scrumhalf may be enough to save him.
Newspapers in Australia started the week by claiming that Gregan, who made his international debut in 1994, would announce his retirement from international rugby at the end of the tour. A swift denial followed, but Gregan's future depends on whether Eddie Jones survives one of the worst seasons endured by the Wallabies in the last 40 years as much as his own form when next season's Super 14 series starts.
Gregan is contracted to the ACT Brumbies next year. If he retired from international rugby, his salary would drop appreciably from its current €365,000 level, but if the Australian Rugby Union decided to remove Jones Gregan would probably jump rather than wait to be shoved out by a new coach.
Whereas other Test centurions, such as Leonard, the Australia wing David Campese, and the France centre Philippe Sella were lauded for their achievements in their own countries, the reaction to Gregan's longevity in Australia is more one of weary contempt. He is leading his country for the 50th time against Wales this evening, but there have been calls, led by Campese, for him to be dumped.
"Gregan's retirement is long overdue," wrote Campese this week in the Australian. "Australia will improve in his absence. The governing body must take up the challenge of finding a coach, a team and a pattern of play that can win the next World Cup before it is too late. Gregan gets selected week after week but offers nothing."
The former Wallabies coach Alan Jones was equally blunt, saying: "Eddie Jones has done his best, but his best is not good enough and he has to go."
Jones, who took over from Rod Macqueen after the 2001 Lions tour, remains composed under fire. "There have been calls for George's head since he made his debut, but he is not the sort of person to let that get to him," the under-fire Australian coach said. "What is not in question is his leadership: he is a guy all the players are prepared to follow into battle and he does not shirk anything. If I remain as coach, there may come a time when I have to tell him that he is no longer first choice. We go back a long way and it would not be a parting like that of Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane."
Gregan was his usual phlegmatic self yesterday. "There is a line in the film A Bug's Life, which I have watched many times with my son: 'The first rule of leadership is that everything is your fault'," Gregan said. "Eddie and I take full responsibility for what has happened this year. I am contracted to the Brumbies until next May and we will see what happens after that."
Australia had lost seven internationals in a row before defeating Ireland last week but they were not routed in any of them. Their record since beating Italy early in the summer is three victories in 10 matches, but they have a try count of 26-22 in their favour in that sequence. They have been vulnerable to the counter-attack, but Wales have sacrificed speed for size and will today look to win by exerting control up front.
Italy coach Pierre Berbizier has made sweeping changes to his starting line-up for his side's Test against Fiji in Monza today. Flanker Mauro Bergamasco makes the starting team for the first time in the November Tests. Sergio Parisse reclaims the number eight shirt after starting as a flanker in the last two matches, while Alessandro Zanni wins his third cap. Props Martin Castrogiovanni and Matias Aguero start either side of Fabio Ongaro in a new-look frontrow.
Fiji coach Wayne Pivac has put his faith in the side that gave Six Nations champions Wales a scare two weeks ago. The most notable absence is that of Biarritz winger Sirali Bobo. Kameli Rutuvou takes his place on the left. Nicky Little comes into the team at outhalf, taking the place of Seremaia Bai, who moves to inside centre.
Guardian Service
