Wallaby captain confident his knee troubles are over
REACTION: Veteran Wallaby prop James Slipper looks set to lead Australia against South Africa at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, despite what he described as a “challenging week”.
Slipper will start at loosehead prop in the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks in Pretoria, despite being in doubt with a knee injury.
The 34-year-old injured his knee in a training mishap on Tuesday.
Coach Eddie Jones sent an SOS to uncapped prop Blake Schoupp.
The Brumbies’ rising star, Schoupp, arrived on Wednesday and remains on standby.
However, Slipper said he is confident he will come through training on Thursday and run out at Loftus on Saturday.
“I get to run [at training] to make sure it is all good,” Slipper told a media briefing after the team announcement on Thursday.
“I’m pretty confident I will be fine,” he added.
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Four players are in line to make Test debuts at Loftus on Saturday.
The Wallabies are looking for a first-ever win in Pretoria, with Eddie Jones in charge for his first Test since returning as coach.
Tom Hooper, 22, will earn his first cap after being named as blindside flank, while there are three possible debutants on the bench in flyhalf Carter Gordon, lock Richie Arnold and 21-year-old prop Zane Nonggorr.
Brumbies utility forward Hooper will line up alongside co-captain Michael Hooper (no relation) with No.8 Rob Valetini rounding out the back row.
Slipper, if he comes through a fitness session later on Thursday, will make his 128th Test appearance alongside Waratahs hooker David Porecki – with Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa at tighthead prop.
Barnstorming prop Taniela Tupou requires more training minutes after his Achilles injury and is likely to only feature in the latter stages of the Rugby Championship.
Nick Frost and France-based Will Skelton are the starting locks.
Nic White (No.9) will reunite with Quade Cooper (No.10) in the halfback positions, while star inside centre Samu Kerevi will return from a hamstring issue via the bench – leaving Reece Hodge to combine in the midfield with Len Ikitau.
Former NRL star Suliasi Vunivalu will make his first Test start on the right wing, with Marika Koroibete on the left edge and Tom Wright at fullback.
Jones said the Wallabies’ preparation for the Loftus Versfeld clash had been first-rate.
“As a squad, the players have worked extremely hard since coming together as a group and we’ve prepared well this week,” he said.
“The 23 players selected have an opportunity to be part of history with a win over South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday.”
* To see the full team, CLICK HERE!
