Brother of NRL player who is ‘built like a stone house’ and ready to make Wallabies debut as Eddie Jones recalls another rugby league player for World Cup match
- Wallabies play against France in a World Cup warm-up match
- Jones has named what is expected to be his best XV
- The youthful squad gets a rugby league twist
The new-look Wallabies will have an NRL feel at the Rugby World Cup in Paris, with former winger Suliasi Vunivalu recalled from Melbourne, while the giant brother of a wrecking ball from the Gold Coast Titans will also make a debut.
Prop Blake Schoupp and halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will both make their debuts for the Wallabies in a warm-up match against France ahead of the World Cup.
Lock Will Skelton becomes the 87th Wallabies captain as he leads the expected best XV for the clash, with Schoupp – brother of Titans enforcer Aaron – debuting off the bench.
While the Wallabies have a decidedly youthful side ahead of the Paris tournament, with just 258 tests of experience between them, Jones hopes to shock opposition parties with the sheer size of the Australian pack.
Blake Schoupp has earned his place on the Wallabies bench after a run of good performances for the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby
Blake and Aaron Schoupp are close brothers who play in rival codes and share their successes online with their fans
Aaron Schoupp has emerged as a tough and skillful player for the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL
“It’s built like a brick house, isn’t it?” Jones said after inviting Schoupp to training camp in April.
“He’s built perfectly to be a mainstay, he scrums hard, he’s hard on the ball and he’s one of those guys who came the hard way. I think with a chance we might get a little more out of him.’
Meanwhile, Vunivalu has another chance to press for a regular role with the Wallabies after being named in the Australian squad for the Rugby World Cup warm-up Test against France in Paris on Monday morning (AEST).
The former Melbourne Storm NRL premier winger will line up for just his third Test, having been recalled to the Wallabies backline and seemingly missing certain World Cup starters Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi.
Suliasi Vunivalu has reclaimed his place in the Wallabies’ first XV, which he is likely to retain heading into the World Cup
The former Melbourne Storm winger is very dangerous at his best and Wallabies fans hope he will hit top gear in Paris
Vunivalu’s inclusion is a foursome of changes to the team that began the Wallabies’ 23-20 loss to New Zealand in the final start at Dunedin on August 5.
Koroibete and Kerevi are shut out by prop Pone Fa’amausili and lock Nick Frost, while captain Will Skelton, prop Taniela Tupou and center Lalakai Foketi are elevated to base 15 along with Vunivalu.
“We’ve had an impressive preparation for the Rugby World Cup this week,” said Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.
Improving our physical capacity has been a priority and our rugby fitness is improving rapidly and we will try to use it against France.
“To play against the tournament hosts in front of a huge crowd at the venue for the Final is perfect preparation for us.
‘We are a young team that is ambitious and developing our game.’
Wallabies: Angus Bell, David Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Richie Arnold, Will Skelton (c), Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Tate McDermott, Carter Gordon, Suliasi Vunivalu, Lalakai Foketi, Jordan Petaia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Andrew Kellaway. Bench: Matt Faessler. Blake Schoupp, Zane Nonggorr. Matt Philip, Rob Leota, Langi Gleeson, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa. Ben Donaldson.