Australia coach Eddie Jones has sprung a typical surprise by picking Ben Donaldson at fullback in an inexperienced side for its Rugby World Cup opener against Georgia on Saturday.
Even though Donaldson has scant experience, he gives Jones a second kicking option if Carter Gordon proves wayward. Jones picked Donaldson ahead of regular starter Andrew Kellaway. Kellaway started against the French and poses a try-scoring threat but has been left out of a matchday 23 averaging just 19 test caps.
“With the youngest team at the Rugby World Cup, the excitement level in the group is high and we’ve had a good preparation,” Jones said on Thursday. Marika Koroibete retook his place on the wing as Suliasi Vunivalu — who scored a try against France — went back to the bench. France-based duo Will Skelton — the captain — and Richie Arnold form the second row, with Jones opting for an unchanged back row of Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini. Prop Taniela Tupou earns a 50th test cap in a front row featuring Waratah duo Angus Bell and Dave Porecki.Georgia has named nine players, including captain Merab Sharikadze, who met the Wallabies at the 2019 World Cup and lost 27-8 in Fukuroi.Australia: Ben Donaldson, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Carter Gordon, Tate McDermott; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper, Will Skelton , Richie Arnold, Taniela Tupou, David Porecki, Angus Bell. Reserves: Matt Faessler, Blake Schoupp, Zane Nonggorr, Rob Leota, Langi Gleeson, Nic White, Lalakai Foketi, Suliasi Vunivalu. Georgia: Davit Niniashvili, Akaki Tabutsadze, Demur Tapladze, Merab Sharikadze , Miriani Modebadze, Luka Matkava, Vasil Lobzhanidze; Beka Gorgadze, Luka Ivanishvili, Tornike Jalagonia, Konstantine Mikautadze, Nodar Cheishvili, Guram Papidze, Shalva Mamukashvili, Nika Abuladze. Reserves: Tengizi Zamtaradze, Guram Gogichashvili, Beka Gigashvili, Lasha Jaiani, Giorgi Tsutskiridze, Gela Aprasidze, Tedo Abzhandadze, Giorgi Kveseladze.The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.
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