SAINT ETIENNE – Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou are out of the Wallabies’ do-or-die World Cup match against Wales.
Having witnessed the Wallabies fall to Fiji for the first time in 69 years, Eddie Jones delivered the sobering news that neither would be fit enough for the must-win game in Lyon next week.
After days of smoke and mirrors, Skelton was officially ruled out of the Wallabies’ loss to Fiji on Monday AEST because of a calf injury – although the Wallabies gave him until the last minute before making the call.
Tupou, whose hamstring injury was also revealed by The Roar to be worse than the minor complaint Wallabies officials suggested, was earlier ruled out with a hamstring strain.
“Neither of those will be available for Wales,” said Jones post-match, while adding the loss couldn’t be blamed on Skelton’s absence.
Will Skelton in a leg brace ahead of the match against Fiji . (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Skelton, The Roar understands, pinged his calf at the Wallabies’ final training session on Thursday – less than 24 hours before he was named to start against Fiji.
For 48 hours the Wallabies insisted Skelton remained a chance to play despite his hulking presence missing at their captain’s run on Saturday and team photo.
Then confirmation came through, as Skelton walked onto the field in a moon boot as his teammates began their warm-up.
Jones insisted that the Wallabies had every right to keep the public guessing as to whether Skelton would take the field.
“We wanted to try to get him right if we could; I said that on Thursday,” Jones said.
“Under regulations we only need to name a team an hour before kick-off, so all we were doing is being good boys, following the regulations of the tournament.
“Have you got a problem with that … following the regulations of the tournament?”
Will Skelton was a notable omission from the Wallabies’ team photograph ahead of their match against Fiji at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on September 16, 2023. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
While the Wallabies’ lineout operated well in the absence of Skelton, the La Rochelle-based lock’s physicality was hugely missed as the Fijians took it to Jones’ men across the field.
Their inability to dent the line denied them quick ball and also gave Fiji extra time and space to attack the Wallabies’ breakdown.
“We can’t blame the loss on Skelton not being there,” Jones said. “We’ve got to be good enough to be able to cope with that.
“And the penalties, when you’re not on the front foot, it’s quite easy to give away penalties. So I’m not worried about our discipline, I’m worried about not getting on the front foot.
“Any game of rugby, you’ve got to get on the front foot. If you can’t get on the front foot, then you’re battling it.
“It was always going to be a tough day in terms of the officiating of the game. We knew that. I expected that, but we weren’t good enough to cope with it.”
With the Wallabies to face Portugal in their final Pool C clash, which is then followed by a bye week, Jones is hoping Tupou and Skelton are fit in time for the quarter-finals. That’s if they make it that far, of course.
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Roar Rookie
Yesterday and in Bledisloe two they did a good job for about 30 minutes then fell away. I don't agree on 0 hope cause Wales aren't that good, but they're not a beat themselves type either. Philip is much better than Arnold and is a leader too, it seems.
KTinHK
Roar Pro
Of course Jones had every right to keep Fiji guessing as to whether Skelton would take the field. Tactically smart thing to do.
Toulouse Lautrec
Roar Rookie
Wallabies have now zero hope against Wales. Slipper is a shadow of his former self, age has caught up with him and he is a liability. Arnold is just terrible, brings nothing. Needs to be Phillip starting. Hopefully Pone is fit. Wallabies need to do everything they can to work on securing the ball at ruck, I've never seen a team give such little attention to getting on the ball at the tackle, really really lazy and amateur level stuff.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Oops
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Roar Rookie
This ain't the live match feed. How many beers had you had at this point , Oz? :happy: :silly:
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Roar Rookie
Bet it's cause they've been pushed too hard too often in training, Taniela and Will. Soft tissue injuries.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well Hooper is fit currently…
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Never released. Textbook
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
JP, stop kicking. Your judgement is terrible
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
We almost never compete at lineout. Arnold and Frost and Hooper feels like we should
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Yeah the big boys don’t have minor calf injuries
Guess
Roar Rookie
Hoopers calf injury was also minor..
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Need them both back to be a chance to make a noise. Mind you, without them, failing to qualify is a real possibility. Today is as big a game as we’ve had for a very long time
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
Wishing Skelton and Tupou quick recoveries. Both are needed in the tournament. Slips is a stand up guy in supporting Porecki as captain after he himself lost the captaincy. I hope he stands up (just not in the scrum, don’t need those penalties) and does a good job replacing Tupou. Go the Wallabies! Bring it on!
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Here’s to a speedy recovery. Go Wallabies! Watching here in Japan after an 8 hour round trip drive to watch my son play in his high school rugby round robin today. They beat the previous national champs too! Pretty tired, but I just hope the Wallabies turn up! I’ll be staying up to watch it with my daughter, then hoping Japan beats England…