Kerevi dropped as Jones goes with Waratahs centres Peresi and Foketi
Nic White also dropped as Fines-Leleiwasa takes his place on the bench

Kerevi dropped as Jones goes with Waratahs centres Peresi and Foketi

Nic White also dropped as Fines-Leleiwasa takes his place on the bench

By Alipate Narawa
Saturday 30/09/2023
Izaia Perese (L) and Lalakai Foketi (R)

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has dropped Samu Kerevi for their last Rugby World Cup pool match against Portugal in the latest of his odd line-up selections.

Jones has named a new centre combination, with Izaia Perese joining NSW teammate Lalakai Foketi as the Australians attempt to finish a disastrous campaign on a positive note.

They will know before they enter the Saint-Etienne match on Monday morning whether their slim quarter-final hopes have been dashed, dependent on the outcome of the Fiji-Georgia game 24 hours earlier.

If Fiji wins with a bonus point the Australians can start packing their bags.

A lack of experience in the Wallabies side was exposed in their record losses to Wales and Fiji, but Jones has opted to axe Kerevi and Jordan Petaia and bring in Foketi and five-Test Perese for his first World Cup match.

While he’s a specialist outside centre, Perese has never started a Test at 13.

Jones told reporters that Foketi has trained well the whole tournament and Kerevi has probably just been a little off.

In an unchanged front row, centurion James Slipper will break George Gregan’s record for the most World Cup matches by an Australian, making his 21st appearance.

Fraser McReight has returned to the No.7 jersey with Tom Hooper switching to blindside flanker with Rob Leota relegated to the bench.

With one Test under his belt, Josh Kemeny has been selected for his first World Cup appearance as the remaining forward cover.

Issak Fines-Leleiwasa has been named on the bench ahead of veteran halfback Nic White, with Tate McDermott partnering Ben Donaldson in the halves.

Jones says there would be an emphasis on attack from the first minute to the 80th, and they need to empty the tank.

Wallabies team to face Portugal:

Andrew Kellaway, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, Marika Koroibete, Ben Donaldson, Tate McDermott, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper, Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, James Slipper, David Porecki (capt), Angus Bell.

Reserves: Matt Faessler, Blake Schoupp, Pone Fa’amausili, Rob Leota, Josh Kemeny, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Carter Gordon, Suliasi Vunivalu.

Source: Rugbypass

Rugby World Cup - Bronze and Grand Final

DateTimeTeamTeam
Bronze Final -
Sat 28 OctFull TimeArgentina23 - 26England
Grand Final -
Sun 29 OctFull TimeNew Zealand11 - 12South Africa
Click here for full fixtures

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
$304.4M in concessional loans and grants secured for four bridges
$304.4 million in funding has been secured in concessional loans and grants for four bridges that have been identified under the Fiji - Critical Bridg...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Kalesi Volatabu selected as one of 17 Indigenous changemakers for the 2025 Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity program
Drug Free World Fiji founder, Kalesi Volatabu has been selected as one of 17 Indigenous and Pacific changemakers for the 2025 cohort which is part of ...
21 minutes ago

Disconnection between the Vanua, businesses and the provincial councils – GCC Chair
There is a missing link between businesses and the provincial councils, and today, the Great Council of Chiefs will discuss those missing links and ...
45 minutes ago

Two passengers still admitted with serious injuries at Lautoka Hospital
Two passengers remain hospitalized with serious injuries at Lautoka Hospital after a Goundar Shipping bus collided with a 4x4 vehicle at Vitogo, ...
2 hours ago

Bail denied for alleged wife killer Apisai Madigibuli
27-year-old Apisai Madigibuli's bail has been denied in the matter where he is alleged to have murdered his 25-year-old wife in April this ...
2 hours ago

Issuance of official passports to be amended
Cabinet has agreed to amend the issuance of official passports for senior categories of officials for official purposes and for the duration of their ...
2 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
6 days ago

Continuous Radiology and Pharmacy services are now expected at Government Hospitals
Serious concerns are being raised by the public as the Ministry of Health has decided that radiology services and pharmacies at Government hospitals ...
6 days ago

Ratu Wiliame Katonivere declines Presidential nomination after an internal audit and investigation report
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka confirms that President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere decided to decline Rabuka's nomination of him to serve a second term ...
7 days ago

TOP