Gregan's record-equalling test could be his swansong

George Gregan

Conjecture about an impending test exit for captain George Gregan overshadowed the Wallabies' selection yesterday as they head towards a final attempt at finding some Tri-Nations glory.

Halfback Gregan has been paired with five-eighths Mat Rogers for Saturday's test in what will be his 114th international for the Wallabies, equalling Jason Leonard's world mark for one country.

While the halfback's longevity is remarkable, this test against the All Blacks at Eden Park may also turn out to be his Wallaby swansong.

An issue the Australian Rugby Union hoped would remain a subplot until the end of the Tri-Nations series has instead become the major rugby discussion point across the Tasman.

Debate about Gregan's future has been festering.

Critics maintain the 32-year-old is a strong leader, but no longer creates any attacking threat.

They point to coach Eddie Jones' decisions to substitute Gregan this year, dragging him when Jones wanted more spark in the opening Bledisloe Cup test, and then from the Perth game against the Springboks when the match was still in the balance.

Speculation about the Wallaby captain reached a new level this week, with stories that he was planning to retire, was about to be dropped for the end-of-year tour, had the backing of the ARU and wanted to stay on until the 2007 World Cup.

It does appear there are cracks in the old Jones-Gregan axis, one which has been a strength since their Super 12 days at the Brumbies.

Pressure may have been exerted by the ARU board, questioning Jones about his selection strategies for the 2007 tournament as the Wallabies contemplated a fifth straight defeat this Saturday.

Gregan's tenure was discussed while Jones, who is contracted to 2007, concluded that he could not continue with his halfback and captain for the cup.

He hoped he could manoeuvre Gregan into voluntary retirement before the end-of-year tour to Europe, and chose to wait until after the Eden Park test to work out the details.

Meanwhile, a story appeared that Gregan was planning to retire, a report he vehemently denied the next day as he spoke about his intention to play at the 2007 World Cup.

Subsequent statements from the ARU and Jones labelled as support for Gregan were hazy and designed to buy more time.

A September 16 ARU board meeting should be a firecracker.

Meanwhile, league convert Rogers has won the nod over Lachlan MacKay to direct the Wallaby backline on Saturday. MacKay lacks the kicking or running game to hold the inside defences.

Rogers can be erratic but he does pose more dangers because of his ability to attack the inside channels or unleash his wider runners.

Talented loose forward George Smith has been switched to No 8 to replace the injured David Lyons and with Phil Waugh, will create a dangerous scavenging duo.

MacKay, lock Alex Kanaar and centre Lloyd Johansson will make their test debuts from a reserve group who seem to lack any great impact.