James Slipper equals record as he starts for Australia in crunch Fiji clash

Australia veteran James Slipper will become the third Wallaby after George Gregan and Adam Ashley-Cooper to represent the side at four Rugby World Cups.

This comes after the prop was named at tighthead for the clash against Fiji, showcasing his versatility with powerhouse Taniela Tupou sidelined with a hamstring issue.

Mostly unchanged pack

Joining Slipper in the front-row is in-form loosehead prop Angus Bell and hooker David Porecki. Will Skelton keeps the captaincy in the second-row but gets a new partner in Nick Frost.

No changes have been made to the back-row with Rob Valetini starting at number eight and Fraser McReight and Tom Hooper on the flanks.

Veteran Nic White gets a run at scrum-half with Tate McDermott sidelined with concussion whilst Carter Gordon retains his spot at fly-half.

In the centres, there is no change with the robust pairing of Samu Kerevi and Jordan Petaia continuing their work in the middle of the park. Last weekend’s superstar Ben Donaldson keeps his 15 jersey with the lethal duo of Mark Nawaqanitawase and Marika Koroibete rounding out the back three.

On the pine, hooker Jordan Uelese is joined by props Blake Schoupp and Zan Nonggorr as front-row options whilst Richie Arnold and Rob Leota are the remaining forward replacements.

Scrum-half Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Lalakai Foketi and code-hopper Suliasi Vunivalu complete the matchday squad.

Head coach Eddie Jones expects a big game and believes it is the most important fixture for his side in the pool stage.

“Fiji is the most important match of our Rugby World Cup campaign,” Jones said.

“It’s another big opportunity for our young side to keep getting better and we’ll be ready on Sunday.”

Team

Australia: 15 Ben Donaldson, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton (c), 4 Nick Frost, 3 James Slipper, 2 David Porecki, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 Suliasi Vunivalu

Date: Sunday, September 17
Venue: Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Etienne
Kick-off: 17:45 local (16:45 BST, 15:45 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper (SARU), Chris Busby (IRFU)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

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