Shock Wallaby selection in line for first appearance against France

Shock selection Ben Donaldson could be in line for his first Wallabies appearance of the year when Australia face hosts France in their World Cup warm-up.

Donaldson won a spot on the plane to Paris ahead of veteran Quade Cooper and Jones said he wanted to get some game time into the 24-year-old, who has only played two Tests with both coming on last year’s Spring tour.

The Wallabies face one of the tournament favourites at Stade de France early Monday morning (AEST) in their last hit-out before their opening pool match against Georgia at the same venue on Sunday September 10 (AEDT).

Jones hinted France might not field a full-strength side but said the main focus for the Wallabies was the World Cup rather than beating Les Bleus.

“Everything’s about the World Cup – our target is the World Cup – so this is an opportunity for us to take another step forward,” Jones said from the Wallabies base in Paris.

“We’re playing France but we might not be playing France.

“Whilst we’re certainly not disregarding France, we’re not treating it as purely a training run, our aim is to get right for the World Cup.

“We’ve got four pool games, which are all going to be important, the first one against Georgia so this is an important part of our preparations for the Georgia game.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

30

26

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

80%

Jones said that prop Taniela Tupou (rib) is set to be available for selection while centre Samu Kerevi and backrower Josh Kemeny who both have hand injuries need another week.

He was happy with how Donaldson and also maligned winger Suliasi Vunivalu had been training.

“They’re good options and both, on their arrival into France, have trained well, so they’re putting their name up to be considered for the 23 against France and it would certainly be good to get a bit of game time into each of them,” Jones said.

He said that Donaldson had been mostly training at fullback rather than five-eighth and that he fitted with their new attacking ethos.

“As a player, who can play 10 and 15 and a goal kicker, he’s a pretty important player for us,” Jones said of Donaldson, who is moving from the NSW Waratahs to the Western Force next Super season.

“He’s got the skill set we want, which is to be able to play the game as it comes.

“We’re restructuring our attack to be much more, we want to play to play … and that suits his natural game.

“Coming out of Randwick, that’s how Randwick play, a more natural style of game, so I’ve been really impressed by what he’s doing.”