Ben Roberts-Smith wasn't in earshot when his SAS patrol commander spoke of the need to "blood the rookie" during a 2009 tour in Afghanistan, a court has been told.
A still-serving soldier, codenamed Person 14, last week said Mr Roberts-Smith had been "present" when the statement was made inside a large room of the Australian base in Tarin Kowt in 2009.
But under cross-examination on Tuesday, he clarified the now-retired SAS corporal was in the room but not in the conversation between the patrol commander, Person 14 and a few others.
