The Australian Wallabies are not giving up on their slim chance to reach the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal. Head coach Eddie Jones has selected a strong Match 23 squad to face Portugal on Monday morning at 3.45am (Fiji time).
From left: Wallabies reps Ben Donaldson, David Porecki (captain) and Nic White during the Rugby World Cup in Lyon, France. Photo: Wallabies.
The Australian Wallabies are not giving up on their slim chance to reach the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal.
Head coach Eddie Jones has selected a strong Match 23 squad to face Portugal on Monday morning at 3.45am (Fiji time).
The Wallabies are targeting a bonus point win to keep their chances alive and at the same time hope that the Flying Fijians lose or drop a point against Georgia or Portugal.
“It means everything,” said first-five eighth Ben Donaldson.
“There’s still a mathematical chance of us playing finals, so everything’s on the line.
“We need to get five points and we’re paring as if that’s the case, we need to win with a bonus point, but then again it’s a Test match, nothing really changes in the way you prep.
“It’s a Test match, it’s pretty easy to get up for your country, especially in these tough moments when we haven’t been performing the way we want to, everyone’s been gutted, the fans included, so it just gives more incentive to get up for this game and play well.”
Line-up
1 Angus Bell, 2 David Porecki (c), 3 James Slipper, 4 Nick Frost, 5 Richard Arnold, 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Rob Valetini, 9 Tate McDermott,
10 Ben Donaldson, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 13 Izaia Perese,
14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15 Andrew Kellaway.
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Robert Leota, 20 Josh Kemeny, 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22 Carter Gordon, 23 Suliasi Vunivalu
Story By: Leone Cabenatabua
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
