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Tupou expected to start against Six Nations champions France
By AAP
Destructive prop Taniela Tupou will return to the Wallabies starting side after Allan Alaalatoa was ruled out of Sunday's showdown with France in Paris.
Alaalatoa presented with concussion symptoms at halftime in Australia's spring tour-opening 16-15 win over Scotland at Murrayfield and was subsequently scratched from the second match.
The Wallabies face a huge test of character against the second-ranked Les Bleus as Dave Rennie's inconsistent outfit chase back-to-back wins for the first time in 13 months.
France are riding a 10-match winning streak, Europe's reigning Six Nations champions and 2023 Rugby World Cup hosts last tasting defeat 16 months ago in the series-deciding Test against Australia in Brisbane.
Rennie will name his full 23-man team on Thursday night, with France-based lock Will Skelton in line for a start in the second row after rejoining the Wallabies squad this week.
The 140kg behemoth could add further starch to the forward pack, while changes are also expected in the backline following a clunky attacking performance against Scotland.
Rennie has promised to rotate his three touring halfbacks, with Nic White likely to start after his rugby smarts proved pivotal in the Wallabies' comeback win in Edinburgh.
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Latest Comments
“Why are you so insistent on being wrong? Man United won in 2008 (beating Chelsea in the final). In 2009 Barcelona won, beating United.”
Good lad, just checking. So you’re not a bot! Chelsea bombed the 2008 final more than United won it. John Terry… couldn’t happen to a nicer fella.
“The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.”
Again - you’re not correct. City won the CL in 2023, and made the final in 2021. Those are the only two CL finals they have made.”
So the difference between 2021 and 2023 would of course be TWO YEARS. 24 months would account for 3 different seasons. They contested ECL finals twice in two years. The first in 2021 - which they lost - was still the first elite European final in the clubs then 141 year history. Explain clearly how that’s not an achievement? Guess what age he was then…
“I think your take on Gatland is pretty silly. Gatland was without Edwards in the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and managed to do alright.”
I thought you don’t care what certain managers did 10 years ago…
Why would I address Eddie Jones? Why would he be deserving of a single sentence?
“I am aware Les Kiss has achieved great things in his career, but I don’t care what he did over ten years ago. Rugby was a different sport back then.”
So you haven’t watched even a minute of Super Rugby this year?
“lol u really need to chill out”
Simply frightful! If you’re not a bot you’re at least Gen-Z?
Go to commentsBloody hell. What’s Rassie got to do with Xavier Roe coming on? Ridiculous.
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