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The Wallabies have been rocked by the late withdrawal of lock Nick Frost while Jock Campbell is also in doubt for the Test against Italy.
The Wallabies said Frost was suffering from illness and an ankle injury and would be replaced by Darcy Swain in the starting team.
Campbell, who made his run on debut a week ago against France, is also battling illness and couldn’t train on Friday.
Meanwhile, Tom Banks could be headed home early from the Spring Tour with Wallabies coach Dave Rennie saying the Japan-bound fullback will likely miss next week’s blockbuster test against Ireland.
Banks was missing from the squad to face Italy on Sunday (AEDT) with Campbell picked for his second start in a row at fullback. He has a stomach bug and Jordan Petaia could be called into action, either at 15 or on the wing with Tom Wright shifting.
“He’s got a bung ankle that he did against Scotland. We thought it might come right by now. But it looks like it won’t even be right for Ireland so we’ve got some decisions to make there,” Rennie said.
He said the options included bringing in cover for Banks and whether or not to send him home early.
Swain returns after six weeks on the sidelines and Rennie said the Brumbies lock understood what was expected from him after two suspensions in 2022.
“We’ve certainly sat down with Darcy post the last suspension,” said Rennie.
“What we don’t want is him getting a reputation.”
Swain was red carded against England in Perth and the Wallabies were seething at the levels of provocation involved in a running battle with Johnny Hill.
“His first suspension was provoked and I think if the officials had done a better job when he got punched in the face, had his hair pulled, and then elbowed, maybe he wouldn’t have retaliated that way but anyway he did and he’s got to wear that,” said Rennie. “He’s learned from that.”
Swain had barely returned before he was involved in an ugly incident against the All Blacks that cost him a six-week suspension. He buckled Quinn Tupaea’s leg at a cleanout with the All Blacks centre suffering severe knee damage.
“The last one was clumsy. It’s not malicious,” Rennie said.
“He was trying to be physical but he was pretty inaccurate. And you know, unfortunately, he got suspended and Quincy Tupaea got a long-term injury which Darcy really regrets.
“We’ve certainly sat down, talked about the importance of discipline.
“I think as a group, we’ve made good shifts, gave away 11 penalties on the weekend. I think we’ve given away one offside penalty in the last two games which is better.
“Darcy’s well aware we still want him to be physical, but he’s got to be accurate.”
Rennie is clearly a fan of Swain despite the rise of Nick Frost, strong performances of Cadeyrn Neville, and the overseas claims of Will Skelton. The coach picked him on the Australia A tour to soak up three of his game bans and brought him in as late cover to the Spring Tour party even though the suspension extended through matches against Scotland and France.
But having shown loyalty, Rennie will expect a changed man in return. It’s hard to imagine Rennie risking a discipline issue at a World Cup.
“We haven’t looked at it as a make or break but there’s no doubt if he makes some poor decisions and gets suspended again you get to a stage where it’s difficult to pick some of those sorts of guys because you end up playing a lot of rugby with 14,” said Rennie.
“He’s a really good man. I think he’s learned from this and we expect to see that on the park on Saturday.”
Rennie named a team with 11 changes to the starting line up for the game against Italy the perennial wooden spooners of the Six Nations. If Frost and Campbell are ruled out it will be 13 changes.
Will Skelton gets his first start.
“We’re hoping to get plenty out of Will,” said Rennie.
“He’s been great at training. It’s great to have a guy of his experience who’s an imposing character on the park.
“If he runs out of puff we’ll sub him. We want to get him on the field because he’s a big man who can bully other big men.
“He’s desperate to get a World Cup next year and it’s an opportunity to show his value.”
Noah Lolesio returns at No.10 with Bernard Foley rested after four straight matches. Foley got his chance after Lolesio suffered a head knock against South Africa.
“He played well against South Africa [in Adelaide]. He got a head knock the following week and then wasn’t available for the first All Black Test,” Rennie explained.
“Bernard played really well and he got to keep the jersey. That’s the point. You’ve got to earn the right to play, and he’s trained very well. He’s looked really good this week. And he realises it’s a big opportunity.”
Rennie said the intention was for Lolesio to get the bulk of game time, ruling out a more even share with Ben Donaldson who is set for a Wallabies debut off the bench.
“He’s gone really well. Good skill set, good distributor, strong kicking game,” Rennie said of Donaldson. “He’s deceptively quick and his versatility helps to cover 15.
“His biggest focus really is around voice. He needs to be really dominant personality on the field, boss others around, put the game plan on the park. So that’s an area he’s has been working really hard on and it will be a big focus for him on the weekend.”
While Rennie will send a much changed team out in Florence, he’s expecting that to not affect the team’s balance.
“There’s a huge amount of enthusiasm in the room – guys who are desperate for an opportunity, guys who have been training really well and deserve a crack,” said Rennie.
“While it seems like a lot of changes, Allan comes back and Jake started a couple of Tests against the All Blacks. Noah started three Tests against England one against South Africa so they’re not guys who haven’t played big minutes or big games for us already this year. Fraser stated a number of Tests. Pete Samu has excellent for us. So it’s a good side. We think good balance.”
Wallabies team
1. Matt Gibbon (4 Tests)
2. Folau Fainga’a (35 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (c) (61 Tests)
4. Darcy Swain
5. Will Skelton (22 Tests)
6. Ned Hanigan (26 Tests)
7. Fraser McReight (8 Tests)
8. Pete Samu (30 Tests)
9. Jake Gordon (17 Tests)
10. Noah Lolesio (15 Tests)
11. Tom Wright (20 Tests)
12. Hunter Paisami (22 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (23 Tests)
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase*
15. Jock Campbell (2 Tests)
Replacements
16. Lachlan Lonergan (6 Tests)
17. Tom Robertson (28 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (45 Tests)
19. Cadeyrn Neville
20. Langi Gleeson (1 Test)
21. Tate McDermott (19 Tests)
22. Ben Donaldson*
23. Jordan Petaia (22 Tests)
*denotes uncapped