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Taniela Tupou out of Australia clash against Fiji
By Josh Raisey
Fears of an injury to Taniela Tupou have been confirmed today, as the tighthead prop has been omitted from Australia's team to face Fiji on Sunday in Saint-Etienne in their crucial Pool C encounter.
Scrum-half Nic White will start for Australia, with the 33-year-old being the only change in the back-line from the team that beat Georgia last weekend. He replaces Tate McDermott, who misses out on the match after failing an HIA in round one. With White moving into the starting XV, the Western Force's Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will start on the bench.
Head coach Eddie Jones has made two changes in the pack. James Slipper comes in to replace the injured Tupou, and Nick Frost will partner captain Will Skelton in the second-row. Frost replaces Richie Arnold, who has dropped to the bench.
Elsewhere on the bench, Jordan Uelese replaces last week's substitute hooker Matt Faessler, while Langi Gleeson drops out of the matchday squad as well and is replaced by the demoted Arnold.
The Wallabies currently top Pool C on points difference after one round of action, although they are level with Wales on five points. Meanwhile, Fiji lost their opening match in a nail-biter against Wales, so Jones and his entire squad will be acutely aware that they will be facing a team that will be fighting to stay in the World Cup on Sunday.
Wallabies XV
1. Angus Bell
2. David Porecki
3. James Slipper
4. Nick Frost
5. Will Skelton (c)
6. Tom Hooper
7. Fraser McReight
8. Rob Valentini
9. Nic White
10. Carter Gordon
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Samu Kerevi
13. Jordan Petaia
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase
15. Ben Donaldson
Replacements:
16. Jordan Uelese
17. Blake Schoupp
18. Zane Nonggorr
19. Richie Arnold
20. Rob Leota
21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
22. Lalakai Foketi
23. Suliasi Vunivalu
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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