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Suliasi Vunivalu and Ben Donaldson will get the chance to justify contentious World Cup selection after Eddie Jones named both in a largely settled Wallabies side to take on France in the final warm-up game for both sides on Monday morning (AEST).
A polarising pick in Jones’ 33-man squad, Vunivalu has been given the nod to start on the left wing against the in-form French at Stade de France. It will be Vunivalu’s second start, and third Test overall, and comes after Jones elected to give Marika Koroibete a rest before the World Cup.
Vunivalu started against the Springboks in Pretoria but hasn’t been given another run this year.
The Wallabies back line is otherwise unchanged from the side who narrowly lost to New Zealand in Dunedin, with the further exception of Lalakai Foketi getting his first game of the year in place of Samu Kerevi, who is recovering from a broken hand.
Will Skelton will captain the side for the first time in a forward pack that is also almost unchanged, apart from Taniela Tupou returning from a rib injury at tighthead prop. He replaces Pone Fa’amausili.
Vunivalu back in training for the Wallabies.Credit: Getty
The six-two bench contains a number of changes, however, with Jones giving a number of lightly used players the chance to get more game time.
Brumbies prop Blake Schoupp will continue his incredible rise from being an unheralded Shute Shield player this time last year to Wallabies prop, after being named for a likely Test debut on the pine. Matt Faessler gets another chance as reserve hooker after impressing in Dunedin, when called in late for Jordan Uelese and then making his debut inside the first quarter due to injury.
Langi Gleeson, who has struggled with a knee injury this year, will get his first opportunity in a Wallabies jersey since starting in the gold No.8 against Wales on the last game of the spring tour last year.
Donaldson also started in that Test in the Wallabies No.10, and after being selected by Jones in every squad this year but failing to get a minute in the Rugby Championship, the Randwick utility has been included on the bench as well.
Ben Donaldson lines up his late conversion attempt against Italy on the 2022 spring tour.Credit: Getty
Lively Force half Issak Fines-Leleiwasia also has the chance to make his Test debut after being named ahead of Nic White on the bench. White has been struggling with niggles this year.
“We’ve had an impressive preparation for the Rugby World Cup this week. Improving our physical capacity has been a priority and our rugby fitness is rapidly improving and we will look to use it against France,” Jones said in a release.
“To play against the tournament hosts in front of a massive crowd at the venue for the final is perfect preparation for us. We are a young side, who is ambitious and in the process of developing our game.”
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