No rest for Gregan, says Jones

George Gregan, as captain of the Wallaby team, is too important to be given an extended break at any stage. It means he will not just lead the team for the rest of their Tri-Nations campaign, but also on the year-end tour to Europe.

No rest for George Gregan

Jones recently indicated that some of his more senior statesmen - key players like Gregan and fly-half Stephen Larkham - could be given a break to keep them fresh for next year and hopefully for the 2007 World Cup.

However, he has changed his mind and Gregan will lead the team  in November - when they face France, England, Ireland and Wales.

Larkham will miss the rest of the year, following shoulder surgery - after injuring his shoulder during the recent tour of South Africa.

"It's certainly something we'll consider," Jones told the Daily Telegraph of finding a break for Gregan.

"But the captain is a pretty important part of the team and I think the captain needs to be with the team all the time."

"Whoever is captain of the side, it's an important role in the Australian team and an important role in Australian sport. So I think he needs to be with the team."

Jones added he will need to take his strongest possible side, including backups at halfback, to Europe if the Wallabies are to improve their success rate overseas following the disappointing losses in South Africa.

"This year, apart from the last game, [replacement halfback] Chris Whitaker has been getting more game time. And that's our plan, to get him more time."

"But we definitely need to have a third halfback coming along, and we need to find a fourth halfback," he said.