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Eddie Jones’ concerning 8-word update on injured Wallabies duo
By Finn Morton
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has provided a concerning eight-word injury update on star duo Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou ahead of this weekend’s must-win clash with Wales.
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Captain Skelton was a last-minute withdrawal from the Wallabies’ team to take on the Flying Fijians in Saint-Etienne, while Tupou was ruled out earlier in the week with a hamstring injury.
Hooker Dave Porecki became Australia’s sixth captain in seven Tests under coach Eddie Jones as the team prepared for a defining clash at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
But clearly, the absence of star duo Skelton and Tupou was a factor as the Wallabies struggled to contain a confident Fijian outfit. The Wallabies were beaten by Fiji for the first time since 1954 as they fell to a 22-15 defeat which has left their Rugby World Cup campaign on the brink of disaster.
Ahead of Australia’s date with destiny this weekend, coach Jones confirmed that both Skelton and Tupou will not play against Wales in Lyon.
“Neither of those will be available for Wales,” Jones told reporters after the loss to Fiji.
Skelton missed the Wallabies’ captain’s run at the stadium on Saturday, and was reportedly nowhere to be found as the players and coach Jones assembled for a team photo as well.
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Jones insisted the Wallabies weren’t playing “mind games” ahead of the pool clash, but the team just wanted to give Skelton every opportunity to play.
But after the full-time siren sounded at the Saint-Etienne venue, Skelton could be seen wearing a moon boot. It doesn’t look good for the Australian skipper.
Coach Jones insisted that Skelton and Tupou are both expected to return later in the tournament, but that doesn’t include the clash with Warren Gatland’s Wales.
“The only thing we are worried about now is Wales and they are unavailable for Wales,” Jones reiterated on Monday morning.
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