Injuries are the newest problem for the winless Wallabies, with former captain James Slipper amongst these underneath a cloud forward of the opening World Cup conflict in opposition to Georgia.
One of simply seven gamers within the 33-man Australian squad to have performed at a World Cup, Slipper didn’t play in Australia’s last-start loss to France, a fifth defeat in a row underneath coach Eddie Jones in 2023, and is battling a tendon subject in his foot.
Jones stated Slipper was “touch and go” to face Georgia within the World Cup opener subsequent weekend, with hooker Jordan Uelese (knee) and prop Pone Fa’amausili (calf) additionally in some doubt.
Star centre Samu Kerevi, who injured his hand throughout Australia’s Bledisloe Cup loss to New Zealand in Dunedin final month, is again coaching and whereas Jones stated he “should be right” for the Georgia match, he’s not locked in.
Despite the problems, Jones is adamant his staff is “on track” for the conflict with Georgia and is simply trying to the primary World Cup encounter, dismissing questions on whether or not his staff can win the event.
“The only thing we have to worry about is Georgia in 10 days time,” he stated.
“Are we on track for Georgia? Yes, we are on track for Georgia. Then after we deal with Georgia, we get on track for the next game. That‘’ all we have to worry about. Those things (about Australia reaching the final) are for you guys to worry about, not for us.”
Jones has continually expressed perception his staff, one of many youngest Australian teams ever to attend a World Cup, was rising into the staff he hoped they might turn out to be.
He maintained that perception on the eve of the event and gained’t be diverting from the plan.
“You go in with a perception of how you think the team may be and then the players’ talents have really shone through and we’re just discovering now how we need to operate as a team, how we want to play and how we can play to our strengths,” he stated.
“So for us, it’s all just really starting now.
“We‘ve got a new leadership group led by Will (Skelton) and that’s changing the team as well. So for us, the big thing is finding the right way to play to our players’ strengths.
“The plan was always to free us up from structure. I don‘t believe you can copy other teams’ structure.”
The Wallabies are coaching in Saint-Etienne the place they may stay till subsequent Wednesday earlier than heading to Paris for his or her event opener in opposition to Georgia, a recreation they need to win to get out of their pool that additionally options Fiji, Wales and Portugal.
Source: www.news.com.au
