Rugby World Cup 2023: Wallabies suffer massive injury blow ahead of crucial Fiji clash
The Wallabies have suffered a massive setback ahead of their World Cup clash against Fiji, with captain Will Skelton set to be ruled out through injury.
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Dave Porecki is set to become the 88th Wallabies captain - and the sixth in 2023 - after Will Skelton was all but ruled out of Australia’s crucial World Cup clash against Fiji because of a “minor” calf injury
Officially, Skelton still remains in the lineup as skipper because team officials want to wait until just before Monday morning’s kickoff before drawing a line through his name.
Skelton injured his calf in training this week and was sent for scans, which assistant coach Dan Palmer said came back showing minimal damage.
“I’m not a doctor, but I think it was just a minor strain. Hence why he’s still in the mix,” Palmer said.
“We’re giving Will as much time as possible to get ready for the game so he’s in treatment, getting some work with the physios at the moment.”
Asked whether the Wallabies were foxing about Skelton’s availability, Palmer was insistent Skelton was still in with a chance of playing.
“It’s not mind games,” Palmer said.
“We’re just giving him as long as possible to get ready. He’s an important part of our team and we’re prepared to do that.”
Despite what the brains’ trust is saying, the Wallabies are already making plans to go into the match without their giant skipper.
The clearest giveaway was when Skelton did not show up for Saturday’s official team photograph at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in St Etienne.
Originally chosen on the bench, Richie Arnold was spotted wearing Skelton’s No. 5 gold jersey while Matt Philip, who was not even selected in the matchday 23, joined his team mates for the portrait, with No. 19 on his back.Palmer admitted the Wallabies had made contingency plans, confirming Philip would come into the squad as the reserve lock while Porecki would take over the captaincy duties.
“He (Skelton) might play and he might not. So if he doesn’t, we’re confident that MP (Philip) can step up and do the job for us,” Palmer said.
“He’s a world class lock, so he’ll be Will’s replacement if Will’s not ready.”
Porecki sat right next to head coach Eddie Jones for the team photo then led the side during the captain’s run, the Wallabies’ last training run before the Pool C match.
Veteran prop James Slipper, who was one of two co-captains at the start of 2023, said Porecki was a great choice to lead in Skelton’s absence.
“If given the opportunity he’ll be super,” Slipper said.
“The way he goes about his business on the field as a player, he leads by example
“He’s one of those players who is really measured, composed and world class at his craft.
“He’s got the respect from the boys. Even leading the captain’s run, he did a superb job.
“Good captains find a way under pressure to stay composed and to lead and he does that well.”
While the Wallabies remain heavy favourites to beat Fiji, the likely unavailability of Skelton is still another major worry.
The Wallabies have already lost tighthead prop Taniela Tupou to a hamstring complaint while halfback Tate McDermott has been stood down for concussion protocol reasons.
With European minnows Portugal still to come, the Wallabies will effectively seal their place in the quarter-final if they beat Fiji but next week’s clash with Wales will decide who they play in the knockout stages.
Australia lost to Wales in their pool match at the 2019 World Cup in Japan and were thrashed by England in the quarters while the Welsh went on to make the semis after getting an easier path.
But for now, the focus is just on trying to beat the Pacific Islanders.
“This current Fiji team is a dangerous team, obviously,” Palmer said.
“I think they’re at their current best world ranking.
“We saw them take Wales right to the end last week so we know it’s going to be a really difficult game.
“They’ve got threats right across the park. We’re preparing for that.
“We feel like we prepared well this week. So you know, in that respect we’re confident, but we respect Fiji and we know that they’re a really tough team and they’re going to go well in this competition.”
Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2023: Wallabies suffer massive injury blow ahead of crucial Fiji clash
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