Wallabies coach Eddie Jones declared his new-look staff was “ready to take off” as he confirmed additional goalkicking ability was the catalyst for his shock collection of Ben Donaldson at fullback for the opening World Cup conflict with Georgia.
Donaldson, 24, has performed simply three Tests and solely began as soon as however replaces Andrew Kellaway as one in every of three adjustments to Jones’s facet from the one which misplaced to France within the last lead-up match.
All three adjustments had been within the backline, with Samu Kerevi overcoming his damaged hand to return to inside centre, with celebrity Marika Koroibete regaining his spot.
Donaldson’s choice has come out of the blue, included within the least skilled Wallabies staff (343 caps) since Jones’s final time in cost, in 2003 when his staff thrashed Romania in Adelaide within the residence World Cup.
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Jones revealed the plan round Donaldson had been just a few weeks within the making and backed his younger outfit to get the job completed.
“It’s our best team,” Jones mentioned on Thursday afternoon on the Stade de France.
“It’s 20 years since Australia’s picked a young team like this, and it shows a changing of the guard. This is a new team that wants to take Australian rugby forward.”
“(Donaldson) has been training with us for six to eight weeks mostly at fullback rather than 10.
“His goalkicking has been at a high standard, which obviously gives us two (options) for the game. With Nic White off the bench, it gives us three for the game. That’s an area we’ve needed to bolster, hence the selection.”
Jones mentioned addressing the goalkicking points, after Carter Gordon struggled badly towards France, was a key space of enchancment.
“We need to bolster the goalkicking, that’s evident, and that’s why (Donaldson) is in the team,” he mentioned.
The Wallabies enter the match winless in 5 Tests this yr however Jones has remained optimistic all through, sticking to his plan to usher change all through the staff and Australian rugby.
Having in contrast the Wallabies to a Datsun 1200 in July, Jones was assured the enhancements since had turned them into an “F1” automobile.
“Whatever car you like in F1. The fast one. We’re just about ready to take off, mate,” he mentioned.
“It’s been a really good progression. We went through a period where we had to almost restructure the team to get ourselves in a position where we think we can win the World Cup.
“It would be unfair for me to say I knew where the team was going to end up because we’re just starting to understand our strengths as a team. We’re going to develop a reasonably unique style of play that suits us. We’re ready to go. We’re just ready for the lights.”
Wallabies staff to play Georgia at Stade de France, Paris
Saturday, September 9, 6pm CET/2am Sunday AEST
1. Angus Bell (24 Tests)
2. David Porecki (15 Tests)
3. Taniela Tupou (49 Tests)
4. Richie Arnold (5 Tests)
5. Will Skelton (c) (29 Tests)
6. Tom Hooper (4 Tests)
7. Fraser McReight (13 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (35 Tests)
9. Tate McDermott (vc) (26 Tests)
10. Carter Gordon (5 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (55 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (45 Tests)
13. Jordan Petaia (28 Tests)
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase (7 Tests)
15. Ben Donaldson (3 Tests)
Finishers
16. Matt Faessler (2 Tests)
17. Blake Schoupp (1 Test)
18. Zane Nonggorr (3 Tests)
19. Rob Leota (17 Tests)
20. Langi Gleeson (4 Tests)
21. Nic White (63 Tests)
22. Lalakai Foketi (6 Tests)
23. Suliasi Vunivalu (3 Tests)
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
