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
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