Wallabies Head Coach Eddie Jones is giving some bolters a chance to impress, in Australia’s final match of the 2023 Summer Nations Series. Jones has opted for a relatively inexperienced squad, just two weeks away from the Rugby World Cup.
The Wallabies take on Rugby World Cup hosts France, with 12 players out of Jones’ matchday squad having less than 10 test match caps to their name. Will Skelton will also captain the Wallabies for the first time in his career, making him the 87th captain of Australia.
The action takes place in Paris’ Stade de France, with Jones set to award Wallabies debuts to two bolters ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Brumbies loosehead Blake Schoupp and Western Force scrum half Issak Fines-Leleiwasa are set to make their marks, in this warm-up contest against one of the favourites for the Web Ellis trophy.
Les Bleus will be without their talisman fly half Romain Ntamack, following his untimly ACL injury which has ruled him out of his home-soil Rugby World Cup. The fly half twisted awkwardly in the turf, as he attempted a tackle on Scotland halfback Finn Russell a fortnight ago.
Jones may well have taken note of the incident, along with his former side of England losing Jack van Poortvliet so close to the competition to injury. Jones looks to be playing it relatively safe, as key names Marika Koroibete, James Slipper, Samu Kerevi and Nic White all miss out on this final Summer Nations Series contest.
Head Coach Jones spoke to the Wallabies website: “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.”
“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.”
Wallabies team to play France – 2023 Summer Nations Series
Front Row
1. Angus Bell (23 Tests)
2. David Porecki (14 Tests)
3. Taniela Tupou (48 Tests)
Second Row
4. Richie Arnold (4 Tests)
5. Will Skelton (c) (28 Tests)
Back Row
6. Tom Hooper (3 Tests)
7. Fraser McReight (12 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (34 Tests)
Halfbacks
9. Tate McDermott (vc) (25 Tests)
10. Carter Gordon (4 Tests)
Centres
12. Lalakai Foketi (5 Tests)
13. Jordan Petaia (27 Tests)
Back Three
11. Suliasi Vunivalu (2 Tests)
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase (6 Tests)
15. Andrew Kellaway (23 Tests)
Replacements
16. Matt Faessler (1 Test)
17. Blake Schoupp (uncapped)
18. Zane Nonggorr (3 Tests)
19. Matt Philip (28 Tests)
20. Rob Leota (16 Tests)
21. Langi Gleeson (3 Tests)
22. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (uncapped)
23. Ben Donaldson (2 Tests)