Wallabies v Springboks: Ankle injury trips up Israel Folau
SUPERSTAR Wallabies fullback Israel Folau is a late withdrawal from the Test against the Springboks in Brisbane because of his dodgy ankle.
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ISRAEL Folau is a late withdrawal from the Test against the Springboks because of his dodgy ankle — yet it will rattle the game plan of the Wallabies far less than many think.
While both key backrower David Pocock (neck) and match-shaping fullback Folau have now withdrawn in the 36 hours before kick-off at Suncorp Stadium, the Wallabies have known all week they would be touch-and-go.
There was always a strong likelihood of Pocock not being able to play and Folau’s situation was not far behind so the Wallabies have trained all week with replacements in those positions at their Sanctuary Cove base on the Gold Coast.
Dane Haylett-Petty has run ample repetitions at fullback in moves and is coming off a composed showing at Eden Park where he was one of the few Wallabies to produce a positive showing in the 40-12 loss to the All Blacks.
With Folau out and Haylett-Petty shifting to No.15 from the wing, Jack Maddocks wins another start on the wing. Tom Banks is the new reserve.
Pocock’s absence creates an ideal opportunity to measure how equipped Pete Samu really is for Test rugby. He will start at No.8 but likely be used as a flanker off scrums in certain areas of the field.
Showers this morning in Brisbane suggest a greasy surface at Suncorp Stadium tonight.
WALLABIES: Dane Haylett-Petty, Jack Maddocks, Reece Hodge, Matt Toomua, Marika Koroibete, Kurtley Beale, Will Genia, Pete Samu, Michael Hooper (c), Lukhan Tui, Adam Coleman, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio. Res: Folau Faingaa, Tom Robertson, Taniela Tupou, Izack Rodda, Ned Hanigan, Joe Powell, Bernard Foley, Tom Banks.
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Originally published as Wallabies v Springboks: Ankle injury trips up Israel Folau