Samu Kerevi to miss Wallabies World Cup opener in Paris as heatwave hits

The heat has returned to Paris in time for the World Cup, with injuries potentially opening the door for a stunning Wallabies debut.

Samu Kerevi is unlikely to face Georgia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

A camp in Darwin before the World Cup could prove crucial, with the Wallabies World Cup opener against Georgia in Paris set to be played in 30 degree heat and without star centra Samu Kerevi.

Kerevi, who is recovering from a hand injury, sat in the dugout and watched the Wallabies train without him at their Saint Etienne base, with coach Eddie Jones to select his team on Thursday.

Assistant coach Dan Palmer gave little away when asked but said Kerevi had “been on the field” but Lalakai Foketi, who played his first Test of the year at inside centre against France late last month, looms as the likely replacement.

Jordan Petaia could also play at inside centre, but the Queenslander instead talked up 19-year-old Max Jorgensen, who hasn’t played since injuring his knee during the Super Rugby Pacific season and was a shock squad selection by Jones.

At the 2019 World Cup, Petaia was selected for his Wallabies debut off the back of a major injury and was a big wrap for Jorgensen, who had been training at fullback and could be given his chance throughout the campaign.

“I hope he does (debut),” Petaia said.

“Max is elusive, he’s a quick learner, he gets along well with the boys, so it’s easy for him to gel in and mix with the boys. He’s a good player.

Max Jorgensen could be a shock inclusion. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I roomed with ‘Jorgo’ in Darwin. It’s pretty familiar with his circumstance coming off the back of an injury and giving him a little bit of guidance there.

“But, obviously, he’s been smashing it, so he didn’t need too much help.”

Palmer also said Jorgensen had been impressive in his training as he ramped it up.

“He’s training really well, so some really good signs,” Palmer said.

“He hasn’t missed a beat since he got into camp. Obviously, a young guy but he’s thrown himself into it and he’s been training really well.”

But props James Slipper and Pone Fa’amausili were only making steady progress from injury.

The French heat has also returned just in time for the start of the tournament, and while the Wallabies are not keen on playing up the heat as any sort of factor, Palmer said the Darwin camp before leaving for France could prove crucial.

“We obviously had our camp in Darwin, which was a little bit warm as well,” Palmer said.

“But the most important thing for us is that we’re preparing well and we’re improving every time we go into the field. And I think we’re seeing that, so we’re seeing the group get tighter. We’re seeing ourselves adapt better under fatigue and under pressure.”

The Wallabies face Georgia at Stade de Francais on Sunday morning.