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At least in the eyes of the less biased Jenkins, Mitch's persistence of Mitchell over Shepherd at #15 could well be going to cost Shepherd a World Cup berth, we already have plenty of Wingers.
Make the change PLEASE John, don't let ego or contract "understandings" get in the way!
Shepherd is twice the Fullback that Mitchell is, we can all see that!
Burke set for Wallaby recall
By Peter Jenkins, Sunday Telegraph
March 04, 2007
MATTHEW Burke could be Australia's next Test fullback - three years after leaving the country to extend his career in Europe.
Selectors have earmarked the veteran of 81 caps as a potential World Cup insurance policy for the injured Chris Latham.
And the former Waratahs captain, now playing with Newcastle in England, might be summoned for the domestic program starting in May.
The Wallabies will play three internationals against Wales and Fiji, before embarking on a Tri-Nations campaign against the All Blacks and Springboks in July-August. They open their World Cup bid against Japan in Lyon on September 8.
Australian Rugby Union second-in-command Pat Wilson last night confirmed Burke was under consideration for a stunning return at the age of 34.
"It's fair to say there has been a discussion on Matt, but it's very early and we're only looking at contingency issues that might fall into place," he said.
"Our first preference unequivocally is to use players playing Super 14 in Australia. This is simply looking ahead at 'what if' situations."
But another ARU source suggested inquiries about a recall for Burke, Australia's most-capped fullback, were already well advanced.
Any moves to bring him back - his last Test was against the Springboks in 2004 - would require the ARU exempting Burke from an existing policy that limits Test selection to Australian-based players.
In a World Cup year, where the sole focus is claiming the Webb Ellis trophy, the red-tape would be cut.
When approached on whether Burke would consider an international comeback, his agent John Fordham said: "Since Matt has been away there have been a number of inquiries on this very point of contingency. I remember it happened around the 2005 end-of-season tour to Europe. There has always been interest in what his position would be if he did get a call."
The chances of that invitation being issued are shortening as selectors consider their fullback options in the absence of Latham, who had a knee reconstruction last month.
The Queenslander is hoping to make a return late in the Tri-Nations series, but ARU insiders suggest he is still only a 50-50 prospect for the World Cup.
While Burke has been winning rave reviews in Britain for his form at the Falcons, the home-grown candidates to take over from Latham include Clinton Schifcofske and Andrew Walker at the Queensland Reds, Peter Hewat at NSW, Mark Gerrard at the ACT Brumbies and Drew Mitchell and Cameron Shepherd at the Western Force.
Schifcofske is 31 and in his first season of union. His positional play has come under question. Walker is 33 and had not played top-level football since a drugs ban in 2004.
Selectors continue to overlook the claims of Hewat despite his consistent point-scoring and the X-factor he brings to the Waratahs, while Gerrard and Shepherd are considered more as wingers.
Mitchell has impressed at times for the Force this season but his kicking game is sub-standard for someone with visions of Test representation.
The prospect of Burke reigniting a Test career that started in 1993 will rile factions within the game calling for the Wallabies to punt on youth. But there will be support from those who believed Burke was ditched too early by the Waratahs three years ago.
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Was the wait worth it - Ya betta baby 
Originally Posted by Burgs
