Rugby World Cup 2023: Rochelais Will Skelton captain of the Australian selection

2023-08-10 15:37:13

The youth will be in power in the Australian selection. This Thursday, Eddie Jones unveiled his list of 33 players who will participate in the Rugby World Cup (September 8-October 28). Strong and assumed choices were made by the Australian coach who decided to oust several executives from the selection.

“It’s a young team and it will be a winning team,” said Eddie Jones. The latter, who rejuvenated his group, therefore did without Michael Hooper, Quade Cooper, Len Ikitau for this World Cup in France. For Hooper, the record holder of selections as captain (69 out of 125 capes), the reason for his absence remains medical. A depression last summer and his calf problems did not allow him to play the last three games for his country.

Instead, the Australian coach decided to retain scrum half Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Jorgensen, capable of occupying different positions in the back lines, and prop Blake Schoupp. Three novices who will discover the World Cup. If the Wallabies win in youth, they also lose in experience since only eight players in the group have already participated in at least one World Cup.

“We needed someone who could close ranks”

However, Eddie Jones remains confident despite his four defeats since his arrival on the selection bench. “As I’ve said since I arrived, we have the talent, but not the team yet. But we will achieve it and we will surprise many,” he said.

Another novelty for the Wallabies is the appointment of Will Skelton as captain. The second line of Stade Rochelais will take on this new role during the World Cup, to the detriment of pillar James Slipper. “We felt we needed someone who could close ranks,” Jones said of the La Rochelle forward. “He’s really a very good teammate and he has all the necessary qualities”.

This rejuvenated Australia, which will play in Pool C with Fiji and Wales as its main opponents, will open its World Cup on September 9 against Georgia, at the Stade de France, after a final preparation match against the XV of France of Fabien Galthié, Sunday August 27 in Saint-Denis.

List of Australians for the World Cup:

Backs: Tate McDermott, Nic White, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Carter Gordon, Samu Kerevi, Izaiah Perese, Lalakai Foketi, Jordan Petaia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Susie Vunivalu, Marika Koroibete, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen, Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny.

Avants : Angus Bell, James Slipper, Blake Schoupp, Taniela Tupou, Pone Faamausili, Zane Nonggorr, David Porecki, Jordan Wales, Matt Faessler, Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, Will Skelton (cap.), Matt Philip, Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valentine, Langi Gleeson.