OSPREYS: ‘The standard’s been set’: Tom Rogers stakes his full-back claim after man of the match display

Mark Jones says Tom Rogers has “staked a good claim” for the Ospreys full-back shirt after his man of the match display against the Dragons.

Rogers moved from the wing to full-back for Friday’s derby at Rodney Parade.

He was named man of the match as the Ospreys won 38-31 for their first win of the season, with a four-try bonus point.

Jones believes the bar has now been raised. “The standard’s been set now, and I thought he did a great job with it, but he’s getting pushed pretty hard by the other boys, which is also good,” he said.

Tom Rogers signed as a wing and full-back ‘hybrid’

Jones said Rogers arrived as a player who could cover both positions. “We signed him as a hybrid,” he said.

“I had a good conversation with Tommy before the camp around, you know, how do you see yourself as a player? And he says, look, I played full-back at a younger age, and obviously he’s gone more for the wing.”

Iestyn Hopkins wore the 15 shirt for the two games in South Africa, a reward from Jones for his work last season.

Rogers was told to be ready. “He had a really good pre-season, and like I said to Tom, you’ll get an opportunity, and it’ll be up to you to make the most of the opportunity you get,” Jones said.

‘He beat the first man, like nearly every time’

Jones loved what he saw. “I really love the way that he beat the first man, like nearly every time, got us on the front foot,” he said.

“I thought his decision making on when to bring it back and keep it and kick it was probably spot-on, and I actually love the way he worked in the backfield as well.”

He also singled out Rogers’ work under the high ball. “I thought Tom Rogers did a great job in the backfield, you know, around bringing back those kicks and getting us back into the half and putting us on the front foot,” he said.

When Marika Koroibete went off injured, Jones could have moved Rogers back to the wing and put Lawson Creighton at full-back. He chose not to, because Rogers “was going so well in his position”.

Tom Rogers ‘getting pushed pretty hard’ for the Ospreys 15 shirt

Jones wants the competition. “Ultimately, as a coach, you just want to pick the best players because they give you the best chance of winning as a coach, so I think he’s staked a good claim tonight around his quality,” he said.

“I think we’ve got some options there, which is great, and credit to Tommy, really. He’s come to a new club, it’s always difficult to settle in. The boys love him.”

“He’s made a great start in that position and done a pretty good job there, so it’ll be interesting to see now how the other boys respond.”

Jones has already said his side to face Black Lion “will look different”. The Ospreys open their Challenge Cup campaign against Black Lion in Tbilisi on Saturday, 17 October (1pm UK time).

Author

Richard Bond

Swansea-based sports journalist.
Twitter: @RichBond00
Email: RichardBond@swanseabaynews.com