James Slipper will become only the third Australian to play in four Rugby World Cup tournaments after coach Eddie Jones on Friday named him as one of three changes for the Pool C clash with Fiji at 1:45am on Monday (AEST).
The 34-year-old comes in at tight-head for the injured Taniela Tupou, who has suffered a minor hamstring strain, and will earn his 132nd Test cap in the match in Saint Etienne.
“It’s a remarkable achievement to play in four World Cups,” Jones said at the team announcement.
“Particularly as he started off as a tight-head then volunteered to go to loose-head and he’s volunteering to go back to tight-head.
“It’s a real testament to his courage, to his resilience, to how much he loves the game and he loves playing for the Wallabies and we think on Sunday he’ll play a pretty big game for us.”
For hooker David Porecki, it will be business as usual despite his new tight-head partner.
“No changes. We’ve got our ‘next man up approach’ here, so everyone’s prepared,” he said about Slipper coming into the team.
“He wouldn’t be there if he couldn’t adapt, that’s one of his strengths. He’s experienced and I’ve packed with him before at tight-head and he was spot on there and I fully expect him to do the job well.”
Tupou is suffering from a hamstring strain but Jones said he would be available in a couple of weeks.
The other change sees Nick Frost partner captain Will Skelton at lock with Richie Arnold dropping to the bench.
Skelton was named in the starting line-up despite heading for scans on a calf issue picked up in training on Thursday that forced him to miss the last ten minutes of training.
Jones said the second rower would be given “right up until kick-off” to prove his fitness however reports have emerged that Skelton’s injury may be much worse than first thought, with some suggestions he may have actually torn his calf.
A torn calf could potentially rule the Wallabies captain out of the remainder of the World Cup, but for now Jones has still named the towering lock in his side to face Fiji.
“He got a bit of a knock at the end of training. He is just getting some extra medical work now,” Jones said.
“At this stage he’s still in the team.”
Fellow veteran Nic White gets the nod at scrum-half in place of Tate McDermott, who suffered a concussion in last week’s 35-15 victory over Georgia in Australia’s Pool C opener and is sitting out a 12-day head injury assessment protocol.
It showed a clear preference from Jones for experience in what is otherwise a very young Wallaby squad at the World Cup, with 33-year-old White picked at scrum-half over Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, who comes into the matchday 23 on the bench.
“Nic has more experience,” Australia’s assistant coach Pierre-Henry Broncan said this week. “He can control perhaps more the game than Fines.
“Fines is a Fijian player, he’s an athletic player, very fast. He can carry very well and he’s a strong boy, a very strong boy.
“As a halfback I (would) prefer to play against Nic, I think, because if there is a fight, Fines can be very tough,” the French coach said.
Jones said both would have an important role on Sunday at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
“We’ve got two good halfbacks to fill the 80 minutes. Nic will start and little Freddie (Fines-Leleiwasa) will finish and we think both guys will give us a good 80 minutes,” said Jones.
The coach made three changes to his bench with hooker Jordan Uelese coming in for Matt Faessler, who alongside backrower Langi Gleeson misses out.
The Wallabies face Fiji in Saint Etienne at 1:45am on Monday AEST.
Wallabies (15-1): Ben Donaldson, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Carter Gordon, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper, Will Skelton (c), Nick Frost, James Slipper, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell
Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Blake Schoupp, Zane Nonggorr, Richie Arnold, Rob Leota, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Lalakai Foketi, Suliasi Vunivalu
Fiji (15-1): Ilaisa Droasese, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Waisea Nayacalevu (c), Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra, Teti Tela, Simione Kuruvoli, Viliame Mata, Levani Botia, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Isoa Nasilasila, Luke Tagi, Samuel Matavesi, Eroni Mawi
Reserves: Tevita Ikanivere, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Temo Mayanavanua, Albert Tuisue, Frank Lomani, Vilimoni Botitu, Vinaya Habosi
– with news.com.au
Originally published as Wallabies facing World Cup injury crisis with Taniela Tupou ruled out, Will Skelton in major doubt
