An estranged Rogers returned from a mediocre seven match tour of Europe with Australia last week expressing his disappointment in not getting more than two opportunities to start a Test at pivot.

It was because of the talented NSW Waratahs player's lack of game time that Rogers was reportedly seeking a release from the final year of his contract to join National Rugby League (NRL) newcomers Gold Coast Titans.

Rogers will be feeling even more aggrieved from what Horan's views were on the whole positional debate, saying the 30-year-old probably shouldn't be starting for the Wallabies at all.

"Unfortunately for Mat Rogers, the best position for him is off the bench, because he covers so many different positions, but he's such a hard player to leave out of the team," said Horan, who was a Test selector in 2004-05.

"The great thing about Mat Rogers is he's so versatile, but then again that goes against him, playing in one position."

Horan, a former Australian midfield great himself, said Rogers was actually well suited to inside centre, but believed Matt Giteau is the better option there.

Giteau was forced out of his regular position at No.12 to take on the vital scrum-half role on the end-of-year trip for Australia after the Wallabies suffered a curse of injuries from players in that position.

Regular fly-half Stephen Larkham was shifted into the inside centre position, with Rogers at No.10 in a failed experimental move by Wallaby coach John Connolly.

"It strengthens the midfield when there's Larkham, Giteau and (Stirling) Mortlock. I think Mortlock plays a lot better when Matt Giteau is beside him," Horan said.

"(But) I think 12 is definitely an option (for Rogers), I didn't think Stephen Larkham moving to 12 was the correct option, but we had the opportunity on tour to trial different players.

"At 10 and 12, you've got to have a very good combination and understanding.

"It was good that we had the opportunity to actually trial Mat Rogers there at 10, but Steve Larkham all going well is going to be the number 10 for the World Cup."

Rogers started the first four Tests of 2006 at inside centre while Giteau recovered from knee surgery.

He dropped back to the bench after Giteau returned and was only restored to the starting line-up for the first two Tests of the European campaign against Wales and Italy.

Former Wallaby and Waratahs coach Bob Dwyer said yesterday under the current circumstances he wouldn't have approved the release of Rogers, who has already signed to play for the Gold Coast in 2008.

Dwyer, who was recently in charge of the World XV's 32-7 loss to South Africa last week, felt Rogers would be leaving it too late if he asked for a release now.

"If he had said it last August, or perhaps at the end of the Super 14 in May, that might have given them a chance to sign another player, but that hasn't happened, and if it was me I wouldn't be a party to it at all," Dwyer told radio station 2KY.