Assistant coach Dan Palmer has denied Australia are playing mind games over the possible inclusion of captain Will Skelton against Fiji at the World Cup.
“He [Skelton] might play and he might not, so if he doesn’t we’re confident MP [Philip] can step up and do a job for us,” said Palmer, a former international prop.Skelton, 31, was a surprise choice as captain for the World Cup, after Jones left veteran flanker Michael Hooper out of his 33-man tournament squad.
Jones was evasive on Friday about Skelton, saying only that the New Zealand-born lock of Samoan descent would be given “right up until kick-off” to prove his fitness. Jones recalled 34-year-old prop James Slipper to his starting XV to replace the injured Taniela Tupou at tighthead. Although Slipper will become only the third Wallaby after George Gregan and Adam Ashley-Cooper to appear in four World Cups, the prop was overlooked for the captaincy role.“Dave, given the opportunity, he’ll be superb with the way he goes about his business on the field as a player,” said Slipper, who will win his 132nd cap on Sunday, a figure bettered for Australia only by Gregan’s 139 Test appearances.
“He leads by example, he’s just one of those players who’s really measured, really calm and composed, really world class at his craft, that hooker role.© Agence France-Presse
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