Eddie Jones reveals fullback shock for clash against Georgia
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Eddie Jones has pulled another huge selection shock by naming Ben Donaldson at fullback for the Wallabies in their opening World Cup match with Georgia.
Jones opted for Donaldson to wear the No.15 jersey ahead of incumbent Andrew Kellaway, who has been left out of the sold-out Stade de France match in Paris on Saturday.
The move could be an attempt to shore up the team’s goalkicking after young flyhalf Carter Gordon missed four of five shots in the warm-up match loss to France.
It’s Donaldson’s first start at fullback in his three Tests and he’s only come off the bench this year for the last quarter of Australia’s World Cup warm-up loss to France.
Kellaway started at fullback in both Tests against New Zealand and the France fixture late last month and was expected to continue in the role.
Samu Kerevi has recovered from a hand injury to return to the starting side in the No.12 jersey, partnering with Jordan Petaia in the centres, with Mark Nawaqanitawase and Marika Koroibete the wings and Gordon and Tate McDermott again paired in the halves.
NRL recruit Suliasi Vunivalu is a surprise selection for a bench role.
Jones named an unchanged forward pack from the French match with tighthead prop Taniela Tupou playing his 50th Test and lock Will Skelton the captain.
With a total of 343 Test caps in the team, it is the fewest for Australia at a World Cup since the 2003 fixture against Namibia in Adelaide (283).
“With the youngest team at the World Cup the excitement level in the group is high and we’ve had a good preparation for the tournament working hard on our game,” said Jones.
“All 20 teams are at the starting line now and it’s important we get off to a fast start against Georgia on Saturday night.”
Australia: 15 Ben Donaldson, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton (captain), 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 David Porecki, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Rob Leota, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Nic White, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 Suliasi Vunivalu.
Date: Saturday, September 9
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 18.00 (16.00 GMT; 20.00 GET; 02.00 Sunday, September 10 AEST)
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
