PARIS – Eddie Jones has returned fire with fire against French counterpart Fabien Galthie, naming a strong Wallabies outfit for Sunday’s (Monday, 1:45am AEST) final pre-World Cup match against Les Bleus at the Stade de France before the tournament gets underway in a fortnight.
A day after Galthie named a full-strength side two weeks after losing playmaker Romain Ntamack for their World Cup campaign, Jones named a starting side that features four changes to the one that went down by three points to the All Blacks in Dunedin.
There are two changes to the pack, with Taniela Tupou to start at tight-head prop less than a year after delivering his best starting performance in a gold jersey against France at the same venue.
His return comes after missing the Dunedin Test due to a rib injury suffered during the second half blow out to the All Blacks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 29.
New captain Will Skelton also returns to the starting side, with Nick Frost given a spell and Matt Philip recalled via the bench.
The other two changes see Lalakai Foketi get some valuable minutes at inside centre, with Samu Kerevi given more time to make his way back from a fractured hand suffered during the 23-20 loss in Dunedin.
Like Tupou, Foketi made an impact at the Stade de France last year, finishing off one of the Wallabies’ best tries in years as the midfielder crossed under the sticks from a movement that started on his own goal line and saw Tom Wright burn Damian Penaud on the left-wing.
That was the last we have seen of Foketi in a gold jersey because, as so often the case throughout his career, injury struck. Now, Foketi gets to stake his claim on the biggest stage in front of one of the World Cup favourites.
The final change sees Suliasi Vunivalu start ahead of Marika Koroibete on the left-wing, with Jones likely wanting to give his winger another shot to find some form in a match that means little but could bear some delicious fruit.
On the bench, Blake Schoupp has gone from first grade rugby to the Wallabies in the space of a year with the Super Rugby rookie named on the bench.
Schoupp, 25, comes onto the bench with James Slipper nursing a minor foot-injury.
He isn’t the only player in line for a debut either, with Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, the livewire halfback that bounces out of the ruck and has played his best minutes as a finisher, named as Tate McDermott’s replacement.
Ben Donaldson is also in line for his third Test, with the “utility” named as one of just two backs on Jones’ bench.
It will be the 24-year-old’s first minutes since the Waratahs’ quarter-final exit in early June.
Yet, given Donaldson is just one of two playmakers alongside Carter Gordon in Jones’ 33-man World Cup squad, the Waratahs back is bound to play a greater role throughout the campaign.
Jones said playing France on the eve of the World Cup was the perfect finale to their preparation.
“We’ve had an impressive preparation for the Rugby World Cup this week. Improving our physical capacity has been a priority and our Rugby fitness is rapidly improving and we will look to use it against France,” he said in a statement.
“To play against the tournament hosts in front of a massive crowd at the venue for the Final is perfect preparation for us.
“We are a young side, who is ambitious and in the process of developing our game.”
With Jones keeping his powder dry and opting not to speak to the media following Friday’s team announcement, assistant coach Dan Palmer said selection was based on building the side’s momentum.
“You always want to test yourself, don’t you?” Palmer said.
“We’ve seen progression over the past few Tests we’ve played and the most important thing is to put the way we to play and the combinations we want to play under genuine heat, and there’s no better place to do that or better way to do that than against one of the favourites going into the World Cup, so that’s what Eddie means by that.
“Playing the game at Stade de France, where we’re going to play our first game, there’s a lot of upside for us.”
He added: “We need to see progression in certain areas. We’re trying to build a team that can win the World Cup. So, in terms of selection, that was that was forefront of mind as well.”
Wallabies team to play France at Stade de France, Paris on Sunday 27 August, 5:45pm CET/1:45am AEST
Finishers
*denotes uncapped
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Last sentence? Couldn’t agree more.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
And maybe White, unless Fines kills it !
Wizz
Roar Rookie
That more likely scenario as Mcreight strong 80 min player but that backrow Bobby Hooper Gleeson potentially a wrecking crew.France can be splintered thru middle Fiji showed that..We have abrasive runners ..can't wait.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
lol
Check-side for the boundary
Roar Rookie
Frost, Kerevi, Koroibete Bench. Slipper, Pone, . ?
Check-side for the boundary
Roar Rookie
And their 130Kg tight head (Antonio?)
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Barring injury, I think there will be 5 to 6 changes to this 23, for the first game of RWC !
Check-side for the boundary
Roar Rookie
They'll be swearing at them in their own language ...
Check-side for the boundary
Roar Rookie
I reckon that the 'big guy in the air ' is what Eddie is banking on ! . : Remember the 1st try in 2003 WCF ?? .
Check-side for the boundary
Roar Rookie
Good suggestion ! I'd reckon that the following numbers would be a substantial improvement: - . 1 3, 7, 9, 12 . ?
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Suggest you review his tackle count and work rate in the 2 Bledisloe tests. Holloway was looking ok until Hooper got himself back to health. He is Fardyesue and I predict will go on to be one of the greats.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
You made a comment suggesting that a number of players are better than Donaldson; not for Rennie in the later test games in 2022, and not for EJ in 2023. This alone suggesting Donaldson has more upside than others. Donaldson shouldn’t be judged on the Tah’s season. He is a well rounded player with a big boot, and plays an attacking upfront game. Good defender too. A natural athlete. Correct, I don’t like Lolesio on or off the field. His day has come and gone. Pasitoa and Lynagh the unknown. Debreczeni a solid SR starter. Edmed and Burey are good depth for now and probably will slip back into club rugby. Gordon is pure class. No disputing his talent.
cs
Roar Guru
As often as I disagree with him, which is at least in part almost always, Tooly's good value (imho).
cs
Roar Guru
To my eye, Jake Gordon is the Tahs general and I've always been disappointed by LF's apparent inability to make a difference. But hey, I'm open minded. Let's see how he goes.
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
So now your talking about player ceilings. Donaldson has shown nothing to say he's got a higher ceiling than any of the other guys I named. I have nothing against the bloke, he's a considerably better rugby player than most and he's making the most of the opportunity given to him, he's simply not, based purely on form, as good as any of those other options. As I said, Force are highly unlikely to use him at 10. Pasitoa will likely have first crack and he's probably got the highest ceiling of all our young 10s with the possible exception of Gordon. Not quite sure why you're so focussed on Noah, you haven't presented a single argument as to why Donaldson should have been selected ahead of Burey, Debraz, Lynagh, Edmed, QC or CLL (who made himself available for Samoa so that's a bit of a stretch, fair) who are all guys I mentioned ahead of Donaldson. Seems like you just dislike Noah.
Cassandra
Roar Rookie
Yep, beyond comprehension for mine that Hodgey isn't in the squad. Way better value on the bench than Donno I reckon.
Olly
Roar Rookie
To me he has excellent vision and is.the true general in the NSW backline..I do think he is held back by the team around him at the Tahs.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Whoops! 20!
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
All well and good but disrespecting players who are playing at the highest level is weak. Social media unfortunately promotes this. Cowards behind a keyboard. Opinions with an understanding of the game are great though.
Double Agent The Second
Roar Rookie
" Pete Samu in 21 " Pete Samu is renowned for his versatility but I'm surprised he's also now considered to be a reserve halfback! :shocked: :laughing: