Australia v Fiji: Wallabies deny 'mind games' over Will Skelton's selection for World Cup match
- Published
Will Skelton was named Australia captain before the World Cup
2023 Rugby World Cup Pool C: Australia v Fiji |
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Venue: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne Date: Sunday, 17 September Kick-off: 16:45 BST |
Coverage: Listen to live radio commentary and follow text updates on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Australia have denied playing mind games over the inclusion of captain Will Skelton in their side to face Fiji in Sunday's Rugby World Cup match.
Second row Skelton has been named in Eddie Jones' team for the Pool C match in Saint-Etienne, despite having scans on a calf injury.
The 31-year-old was missing from the official team photograph on Saturday.
"There's no mind games, we're just giving him as long as possible to get ready," said line-out coach Dan Palmer.
"He's an important part of our team and we're prepared to do that."
If Skelton misses out, Palmer confirmed hooker David Porecki would captain the side, with Matt Philip starting in the second row.
"He [Skelton] might play and he might not, so if he doesn't we're confident Philip can step up and do a job for us," added Palmer.
"He's a world-class lock so he'll be Will's replacement if Will's not ready."
Jones has made three changes to his starting XV with prop James Slipper, scrum-half Nic White and lock Nick Frost coming into the side.
Fiji lost their opening pool game 32-26 against Wales, but they would have had a kick to win the game if centre Semi Radradra had not dropped the ball with the tryline at his mercy in the final play.
Radradra, 31, has been moved to the left wing in a rejigged Fiji backline to face Australia, with a win needed to give them a realistic chance of being one of the two top-ranked sides to progress to the quarter-finals.
Head coach Simon Raiwalui has replaced the inside centre with Josua Tuisova, who came on as a replacement to score against Wales.
"We want to give Josua a go, he's a big power runner," said Fiji assistant coach Graham Dewes.
"We see Australia as a team that has a lot of power runners as well, so we want to bring some of our biggest power runners on right from the start this weekend."
Line-ups
Australia: Donaldson; Nawaqanitawase, Petaia, Kerevi, Koroibete; Gordon, White; Bell, Porecki, Slipper, Frost, Skelton (capt), Hooper, McReight, Valetini.
Replacements: Uelese, Schoupp, Nonggorr, Arnold, Leota, Fines-Leleiwasa, Foketi, Vunivalu.
Fiji: Droasese; Wainiqolo, Nayacalevu (capt), Tuisova, Radradra; Tela, Kuruvoli; Mawi, Matavesi, Tagi, Nasilasila, Cirikidaveta, Tagitagivalu, Botia, Mata.
Replacements: Ikanivere, Ravai, Doge, Mayanavanua, Tuisue, Lomani, Botitu, Habosi.
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)